Evidence Builds for Curcumin for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

In nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, fats, including cholesterol and triglycerides, collect in liver tissue. It is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. It affects as many as 30% of people, but most people who have it probably don’t even know it. Many natural supplements have been shown to help. One of the most promising is curcumin. A new meta-analysis adds to the evidence.

A large body of research already suggests that curcumin is an important herb for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Several studies have shown that curcumin improves liver enzymes in people with NAFLD. Curcumin can reduce fat in the liver (Phytother Res 2016;30(9):1540-8; Nutr Metab 2019;16:8), and ultrasound reveals that it improves the liver (Drug Res 2017;67(4):244-251) and disease activity (J
Cell Biochem 2019;120(9):15989-96; Nutr Metab 2019;16:8). Providing more help, curcumin also improves cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin resistance and sensitivity, body mass index and weight circumference.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 studies found that curcumin significantly improves ALT, AST, total and LDL cholesterol, insulin resistance and waist circumference: all crucial things to improve in NAFLD (Complement Ther Med 2020;48:102283).

Now a new meta-analysis has looked at all the research published up until the end of 2021 to analyze the effect of curcumin on liver enzymes in people with NAFLD. The meta-analysis included 14 studies and included 778 people.

It found that curcumin significantly reduces ALT. A closer look suggests that curcumin may reduce ALT in people under 45 but not in older people. Curcumin significantly reduces AST. Although it initially looked like curcumin had no significant effect on ALP, subgroup analysis discovered that when curcumin was given for 12 weeks or more, it did significantly improve ALP.

This meta-analysis found that curcumin improves liver enzymes in people with NAFLD and adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests a role for curcumin in the management of NAFLD.

Food Sci Nutr. 2024 Dec 1;13(1):e4144.

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