DSM joins scientific community to highlight beneficial effects of vitamin E on fatty liver disease
Dr Arun Sanyal at Virginia Commonwealth University has found Vitamin E prevents progression of this disease
DSM is working with the scientific community as part of efforts to further its understanding of the ways in which vitamin E can support human health. These cover a variety of areas of research, including the role of vitamin E supplementation in limiting the negative health implications of fatty liver disease, the use of vitamin E in model systems to prevent the sequelae of stroke and the actions of vitamin E in facilitating membrane repair.
The scientific experts include Arun Sanyal at the Virginia Commonwealth University, who has published studies on the efficacy of vitamin E to prevent the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The results of several human studies have demonstrated the benefit of vitamin E compared with placebo. Vitamin E was found to be effective in reducing the disease activity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, was safe in the applied dose and did not lead to side effects such as weight gain.
'This is a significant development, as obesity-related conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease become key public health concerns on a global scale,' said Sanyal. 'The results are clear evidence of the benefits that vitamin E supplementation can provide when there are no approved pharmacological treatments available. We [now] need to address the potential concerns related to the long term safety of vitamin E, dose responses for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and whether the data from previous trials can be generalised.'
'Vitamin E is vital to supporting human health, yet it is estimated that more than 90% of the population in the US does not meet the dietary intake recommendations for vitamin E,' added Professor Manfred Eggersdorfer, Senior Vice President, Nutrition Science & Advocacy at DSM and Professor for Healthy Ageing at University Groningen.
'While the micronutrient is not currently high on the agenda of scientists and funding organisations, there is an urgent requirement for additional research to understand the benefits of vitamin E span beyond its well-known function as a fat soluble antioxidant. DSM is working to advance scientific understanding and we regularly attend events that provide an important forum for sharing exciting new discoveries.'
