Benefit of psyllium with weight loss diet in preventing liver dysfunction in overweight or obese adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

Abstract

Introduction: MASLD is  the revised nomenclature  of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)  which is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and it significantly impacts the burden of disease. Individuals who are overweight or obese have three times higher risk of developing MASLD. losing body weight is, therefore, recommended to manage MASLD. This study was performed to assess the effect of psyllium on liver fibro- scan finding in overweight or obese adults with (MASLD).

Methods: We assessed 80 overweight or obese MASLD patients ≥18 diagnosed by elastography.  They were divided into intervention and placebo groups by randomized block design. One group were given 10 grams of Psyllium and another group were given 10 grams of ground wheat as a supplement. The weight loss diet and physical activity (PA) recommendations were followed by both groups for a period of 10 weeks.  Serum liver enzymes, liver function (by fibroscan), PA and dietary intake were assessed at the baseline and end of the study.

Results: From 75 participants mean of body mass index (BMI) and calorie intake in psyllium and placebo groups were31.1 kg/ ,2449.7 Kcal and 29.4 kg/,22044.8 K cal, respectively. After controlling confounding variables, calorie intake (p=0.02), carbohydrate intake (p=0.01), liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (p=0.006), waist circumference (p=0.006), BMI (p=0.006), and liver fibrosis (0.001) were reduced in intervention group compared with placebo group. Serum aspartate aminotransferase reduction was not significant (p=0.98).

Conclusion: Psyllium is a food supplement that could be beneficial for gut health, weight loss, and preventing MASLD.