In the News: Silymarin Improves Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials concluded that silymarin, which occurs in a plant known as milk thistle, helps improve liver damage and liver fat in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).*

The meta-analysis included 26 randomized trials involving a total of 2,375 men and women with fatty liver disease. The trials compared the effects of various regimens with or without the addition of silymarin or compared silymarin to a placebo.

Participants who received silymarin had reductions in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance, the liver enzymes ALT and AST, as well as an increase in HDL cholesterol in comparison with the control groups.

Fatty liver index, fatty liver score, hepatic steatosis grade and BMI were lower among the silymarin- treated groups.

Editor’s Note: “Silymarin can regulate energy metabolism, attenuate liver damage, and improve liver histology in NAFLD patients,” the authors concluded.

* Ann Hepatol. 2024 Mar-Apr;29(2):101174.

Less Jet Lag with French Maritime Pine Bark Extract

An extract of a proprietary form of French maritime pine bark helped reduce jet-lag symptoms for pilots, flight attendants, air company staff, frequent flyers, non-staff professionals, and individuals with hypertension, a recent study showed.*

Jet-lag symptoms and nights of altered sleep after flying for 10–12 hours were reduced among participants who were given French maritime pine bark compared to those who did not receive it.

Ankle circumference increased to a lesser extent among those who took the extract, indicating less fluid retention.

Although cognitive function was negatively impacted among most participants, those who used French maritime pine bark had higher average post-flight cognitive function scores than the control group.

Editor's Note: The study included 127 men and women who travelled on eastbound flights. Sixty-five participants received 50 mg French maritime pine bark every eight hours for seven days beginning 48 hours prior to flying. The other 62 participants served as a control group.

* Minerva Med. 2024;115(2):178-84.

Resveratrol Shows Promise for Vascular Cognitive Impairment

Patients with carotid artery stenosis or occlusion—narrowing or blockage of the carotid arteries that supply blood to the brain—were studied.

Those who used resveratrol had improved cognition, including memory, as well as increased blood flow to the brain, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Stroke.*

The study included 79 older participants with carotid artery stenosis or occlusion who did not have symptoms. Thirty-six patients received 30 mg per day resveratrol and the remainder received medical treatment for vascular and metabolic risk factors.

In the resveratrol group, systolic blood pressure and blood glucose were decreased, but were increased among those who did not receive it. \

Long-term treatment with resveratrol was associated with improvement in aspects of cognitive function and memory and greater blood flow in the brain's cerebrum, compared to those who did not receive it.

Editor's Note: There was an average follow-up period of 221 days for patients who received resveratrol and 245 days for those who did not.

* J Stroke. 2024 Jan; 26(1):64-74.

Taurine Intake Associated with Lower Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

A systematic meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found reduced metabolic syndrome factors in people given the amino acid taurine.*

Metabolic syndrome occurs when people have three of five factors that include increased waist circumference, elevated blood pressure, high fasting blood glucose levels, high triglyceride levels and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Researchers identified 25 trials in which participants were given taurine in doses ranging from 500 milligrams to 6,000 milligrams per day or another treatment for five days to one year. Blood samples were collected before and after the intervention.

Participants who received taurine experienced reductions in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and triglycerides.

Evaluation of secondary outcomes among participants given taurine showed reductions in total and LDL cholesterol, hemoglobin A1C and fasting insulin.

Editor's Note: Having metabolic syndrome increases the risk of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

*Nutr Diabetes. 2024 May 16;14(1):29.