Symbiotic yoghurt may improve hepatic steatosis and liver enzyme levels in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

In June 2018 researchers from Iran published the results of their study to assess the effect of symbiotic yoghurt consumption on hepatic steatosis and liver enzyme levels in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 102 patients (50 men and 52 women, average age 40 years, average BMI 31.2) were divided into three groups.  One group consumed 300g symbiotic yoghurt containing 108 colony-forming units Bifidobacterium animalis/mL and 1.5g inulin daily, the second group 300g conventional yoghurt daily and advised to follow a healthy lifestyle (ie diet and exercise), and the third group followed a healthy lifestyle only. The grade of non-alcoholic liver disease was assessed using ultrasound and liver enzyme levels were measured. After a period of 24 weeks, results showed that those in the symbiotic yoghurt group had experienced a significant improvement in their non-alcoholic liver disease when compared to those consuming the conventional yoghurt and those following a healthy diet alone. A further analysis revealed that those consuming the symbiotic yoghurt also had improved liver enzyme levels.

Bakhshimoghaddam F et al. Daily Consumption of Synbiotic Yogurt Decreases Liver Steatosis in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. J Nutr. 2018 Jun 20. [Epub ahead of print]

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