Effects of Mediterranean diet supplemented with silybin–vitamin E–phospholipid complex in overweight patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common liver disease worldwide. Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the metabolic effects of the Mediterranean diet versus the diet associated with silybin, phosphatidylcholine and vitamin E complex in overweight patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: Thirty Caucasian overweight patients were randomized into three groups of 10 (Groups A, B and C). A personalized Mediterranean diet was started in Group A and B patients. In association with the diet, Group B patients were given Realsil complex, daily, for 6 months. Group C patients refused any treatment. Results: We showed that the Mediterranean diet alone, or in association with the Realsil complex, led to the significant variation in BMI, waist circumference, total cholesterol and triglycerides. We also observed a statistically significant decrease in homeostasis model assessment technique in Group B patients.

Keywords:

• antioxidant
• BMI
• insulin resistance
• liver steatosis
• metabolism

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. There are no conflicts of interest associated with this work.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Key issues

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide.

• The influence of the dietary nutrients on the pathogenesis of NAFLD has been reported.

• Mediterranean diet has been associated with a favorable health outcome, with beneficial effects both on the prevention and the treatment of the metabolic syndrome and NAFLD patients.

• Literature data emphasized the benefits of Silybum marianum in the treatment of NAFLD, a plant native of the Mediterranean and North African regions, commonly known as milk thistle.

• In our study, we report that the association between Mediterranean diet and an antioxidant complex containing the extracts of milk thistle can improve not only anthropometric parameters but also insulin resistance and hepatic fat accumulation.

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