Tocotrienols Supplementation: A Potential Aid in Mitigating Liver Enzymes, Fatty Liver, and Liver Stiffness in Type 2 Diabetes and MASL

Dec 4^th, 2023 – New York, USA. The correlation between Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver (MASL), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), has become a growing public health concern. These conditions not only coexist but also influence each other’s progression. Factors such as T2DM contribute to the development of advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis in MASL¹. The prevalence of MASL in Asia and the Pacific countries has markedly increased over the last decades.

With the rising prevalence, the interest in studies examining the effects of tocotrienol supplementation on MASL in individuals with diabetes is growing. Recently, a team of researchers in India led by the Head & Chief Diabetologist of M.V. Hospital for Diabetes & President of Prof. M. Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre, investigated the effect of tocotrienol on liver enzymes, fatty liver and liver stiffness in people with T2DM and MASL in Chennai.

This open-label, randomised pilot trial was conducted at the Chennai’s Tertiary Care Centre for Diabetes. 34 participants were randomly assigned to either the control group or the group receiving 200 mg of tocotrienol twice daily as a supplement. After three months, both groups were evaluated, and the study’s results were recently published in the Journal of the Indian Medical Association².

The findings revealed that tocotrienol effectively reduced liver enzymes and improved liver stiffness and fatty liver. Compared to the control group, the group receiving tocotrienol supplementation exhibited better levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), as well as less liver stiffness and fatty liver. No improvement was observed in the control group and no adverse events were reported during the trial.

“Tocotrienols offer an extensive range of unique biological effects and health benefits, including promoting liver health. Their antioxidant properties, up to 60 times more potent than the regular d-alpha tocopherol form of vitamin E, suggest potential benefits for liver health in conditions like T2DM and MASL where oxidative stress occurs,” said Dr. Ariati Aris, Scientific Affairs Specialist at PhytoGaia.

 “This new study underscores the potential value of tocotrienols as natural phytonutrients for developing dietary supplements aimed at enhancing liver health,” added Dr. Ariati Aris.

 “While tocotrienols are naturally present in our diet, relying solely on food may be insufficient. One of the best natural supplements is palm fruit extract, rich in tocotrienols/tocopherol. PhytoGaia’s TocoGaia^TM is a concentrated extract containing full spectrum tocotrienols/tocopherol complex, produced without the use of solvents and chemicals. Formulators and companies may consider incorporating TocoGaia^TM into their formulas and multivitamins for Liver Health,” commented Mr. Bryan See, Vice President of PhytoGaia.

References

1. Chen, J. et al. (2022). Association between type 2 diabetes status and prevalence of liver steatosis and fibrosis among adults aged ≥ 40 years. BMC Endocr Disord 22, 128.

2. Devarajan, A. et al. (2023). Effect of Tocotrienol on Liver Enzymes, Fatty Liver and Liver Stiffness in People with Type 2 Diabetes and NAFLD: A Pilot Study Based on Biochemical and Transient Elastography Parameters. Indian Medical Assoc. Vol 121, No 6, June 2023.