The effect of Psyllium on body composition measurements and liver enzymes in overweight or obese adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Abstract

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are two important risk factors for NAFLD. Weight control by using dietary fiber may help to manage NAFLD patients by diet and physical activity. Psyllium as a fiber can reduce obesity and its consequences. Methods: The study was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. 80 overweight or obese NAFLD patients 18-77 yrs which their disease were diagnosis by elastography enrolled. Participants assigned to intervention and placebo groups by randomized block design. They respectively supplemented by 10 gr Psyllium and 10 gr ground wheat. Both groups followed weight loss diet and physical activity (PA) recommendations for 10 weeks. Serum liver enzymes (with enzymatic photometric method), dietary intake (by 3-day food record) PA (by PA questionnaire) and body composition (by bioelectric impedance analysis) were assessed at baseline and the end of the study. Results: A total of 75 participants (aged 44/9 years) met the inclusion criteria. (13 male and 25 female in intervention group and 22 male and 15 female in placebo group). Mean of calorie intake and body mass index (BMI) in psyllium and placebo groups were 2044/8 K cal, 29/4 kg/m(2), 2449/7 Kcal 31/1 kg/m(2) respectively. With control of confounding variables, calorie intake (p=0/02), carbohydrate intake (p=0/01), liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (p=0/006), waist circumference (p=0/006), BMI (p=0/006), weight (p=0/03) and Body fat percentage(p=0.03) were reduced in intervention group as compared with placebo group. Waist to hip ratio was reduced but it was not significant (p=0/05). Serum aspartate aminotransferase reduction was not significant (p=0/98). Conclusion: Weight loss diet program which supplemented with Psyllium in parallel with increasing PA can be useful in reducing NAFLD outcomes.