Blood potassium levels may indicate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Potassium supplementation may substantially reduce the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in middle-aged to elderly men and women
A large new Chinese study suggests that potassium supplementation may substantially reduce the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in middle-aged to elderly men and women.
Past research has shown that NAFLD can result from type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, insulin resistance or abnormal lipid levels. Few treatment options specifically target NAFLD, but the Chinese study found that low serum potassium levels may indicate higher risk for the disease.
The study, which was published in Clinical Endocrinology, involved 8592 Shanghai men and women between the ages of 48 and 68. Participants were given a liver ultrasound to screen for NAFLD, and they also provided blood samples that were analysed for potassium levels. The subjects’ dietary potassium intake was not assessed.
The researchers found that the study participants in the lowest quartile of blood potassium levels had a 33% increased risk of developing NAFLD compared with those in the highest quartile. They also had an 81% increased risk of insulin resistance and a 58% chance of developing abdominal obesity (waist circumference larger than 35.4 inches in men and 31.4 inches in women).
In addition, the researchers found that younger, female study participants were more likely to have low potassium levels.
The researchers noted that potassium depletion could lead to low nitric oxide levels and blood vessel dysfunction, which could in turn lead to insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, and glucose intolerance. Along with liver function, low serum potassium could also affect kidney hormones and function, the researchers added.
