Could Probiotics Help Prevent Fatty Liver Disease?

A recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that eating certain probiotics could help prevent fatty liver disease.

For the study, researchers at the University of Granada performed experiments on obese rats. Findings revealed that consumption of probiotics for thirty days helped to diminish the accumulation of fat found in the liver. Furthermore, the latest findings could lead to new developments to treat against Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. 

Probiotics, otherwise known as "healthy" bacteria or yeasts, can benefit the body in specific doses. The study included three strains of bacteria, such as (Lactobacillus paracasei CNCM I-4034, Bifidobacterium breve CNCM I-4035 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-4036); all which are safe for human consumption.

During the experiment, researchers incorporated the strains into a diet of laboratory rats genetically engineered to become obese because of a mutation that codifies the receptor or hormone leptin, which helps give a feeling of fullnes following a meal.

Findings showed that probiotic use lowered accumulation of lipids in the liver and was significantly lower, overall, than those in the placebo-fed rats.

"This new finding went hand in hand with lower values in proinflamatory molecules (tumor-a necrosis factor, interleukin 6 and liposacarid) in the serum of rats fed with probiotics," researchers noted, in a news release.