Beetroot Supplementation on Non - Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. The pathogenesis of this disease is closely related to obesity and insulin resistance. Beetroot is proposed to have hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic effects due to the presence of active compound betaine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of beetroot supplementation in patients with NAFLD. The present study was a case-control prospective study in which 40 cases and 40 controls with NAFLD were advised to follow a lifestyle modification along with prescribed treatment but in cases, beetroot powder supplementation was also given orally for 12 weeks. The clinical, symptoms, biochemical parameters, and ultrasonography measured were recorded at baseline and after 12 weeks post beetroot supplementation. Beetroot powder supplementation improved clinical symptoms, significant reduction in liver enzymes and lipid profiles, as well as significant reduction in liver size as compared to controls. We did not find any significant effect of beetroot supplementation on fatty liver grade. The supplementation of beetroot powder for 12 weeks showed a hepatoprotective effect in NAFLD subjects. Further long- term studies are recommended to assess beetroot powder supplementation effect on the grade of fatty liver.