Cruciferous vegetables might help treat fatty liver

Fruits and vegetables are known for their health benefits, such as the provision of satiety, vitamins and mineral, and fiber. In other words, they are heart healthy and a great way to maintain or lose weight. But there’s a hanging question: Have we ever asked ourselves what exactly are in these fruits and vegetables that causes these benefits?

For example, one particular natural compound found in many cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, cabbage, kale, garden cress, bok choy, broccoli, and brussels sprouts, can help fight non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to a recent study led by Texas A&M University Agrilife and published on February 7, 2020. The study showed how indole -- a natural compound found in cruciferous vegetables and gut bacteria -- might become the new treatment for NAFLD.

NAFLD occurs when the liver becomes surrounded with fats, which is mostly due to unhealthy eating habits, such as the over consumption of saturated fats and carbohydrates. Progression of this disease has been shown to lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. NAFLD is 10 times more common in people with obesity. Inflammation accompanied with obesity aggravates liver damage in people with liver diseases. Gut bacteria can also positively or negatively influence the progression of NAFLD. Bacteria also produce indole, which has been identified by clinical nutritionists and nutritional scientists as likely having therapeutic benefits to people with NAFLD.

This study examined the effects of indole concentration on people and animal models to help determine the effects of indole on hepatitis and NAFLD. The research team was led by Qi Fu Li, a physician at Chongqing Medical University, using Chinese participants. The 137 participants who had a body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m^2 had lower levels of indole. They also noticed significant fat accumulation within and around the liver with low indole levels.

To gain a higher understanding of the impact of indole on NAFLD, the research team used animal models (mice), where one model was fed low-fat diet, as a control, and the other model was fed high-fat diet to stimulate potential effects of NAFLD. The animals who were fed high-fat diet were treated with indole and this significantly decreased deposits and inflammation in the liver. Through this, they also found out that indole acts on cells in the intestines, by sending out signals that help dampen inflammation, in addition to reducing fat accumulation in the liver.

However, even with this extensive amount of research, more investigation needs to be done to find the link between the gut and the liver to fully understand the role of indole. Also, researchers are looking into more healthy foods that can alter microbiota and increase indole production.

Interested in reading more about the topic? Here’s where:

https://today.tamu.edu/2020/02/07/natural-compound-in-vegetables-helps-fight-fatty-liver-disease/