Are herbs definitely effective? a randomized clinical trial assessing the effect of oat consumption on metabolic indices in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease

Abstract

Background Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is characterized by excess liver fat and metabolic dysfunction, increasing the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease due to insulin resistance and lipid abnormalities. Oats contain beneficial components like beta-glucan, avenanthramides, and peptides that lower blood glucose and cholesterol and improve insulin sensitivity. Although combined oat-rich diets have shown metabolic benefits in MAFLD patients.Objective To investigate the influence of oat consumption on triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), waist to height ratio (WHtR), triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), LDL/ HDL and TG/ HDL in individuals with MAFLD.Methods Sixty-four patients with MAFLD were randomly assigned in to the oat group (n =32), or control group (n=32) for 12 weeks. Patients in the intervention group were instructed to consume 50 gr/day oat. All outcomes were measured at the beginning and end of this study. This parallel randomized trial was registered at IRCT.ir (IRCT20130903014551N12).Results Oat consumption did not significantly change FBS, insulin, TG, LDL, HDL, cholesterol, HOMA-IR, QUICKI, TyG, LDL/ HDL, TG/ HDL, WHtR.Conclusion Oats consumption had no effects on anthropometric variables, blood glucose indices and serum lipid profile in patients with MAFLD. It should be declared to public that herbs are no definitely effective in all situations.