In their new study, researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) are investigating the effects ellagic acid, an antioxidant found in some fruits and vegetables, could have on halting and potentially reversing the damage caused by fatty liver disease. Ellagic acid (EA) is a polyphenolic, non-flavonoid compound naturally found in a variety of fruits, such as pomegranates and is a recognized antioxidant with implications in modulating various molecular targets and pathways involved in numerous chronic diseases, including liver diseases. 

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the physiological manifestation of obesity in the liver. The prevalence of NAFLD has increased from 25.24% in 2015 to 29.38% in 2021, and this condition now accounts for 45.8% of all cases of chronic-liver-disease-related deaths worldwide.

There currently exists no treatment for the long-term management of NAFLD; however, dietary interventions have been investigated for the treatment of this disease, including several polyphenolic compounds such as ellagic acid.

ECU researchers Lois Balmer and Tharani Senavirathna noted that ellagic acid is widely recognized for its antioxidant properties, but also exhibits anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and anticancer properties. They say, “Ellagic acid stands out as a remarkable polyphenolic compound, possessing a wide range of pharmacological properties that hold promise in treating various chronic diseases, including NAFLD.

"Due to its multifaceted biological effects, edible plants containing ellagic acid, and its derivatives are recognized as valuable functional foods for enhancing human health. Moreover, there is evidence suggesting that ellagic acid, when combined with other antioxidant nutraceuticals, exhibits a synergistic therapeutic effect, making it a potential candidate for combination therapy."

The researchers concluded that “ellagic acid acts against ROS and activates the NrF2 pathway to reduce oxidative stress to protect the liver. Remarkably, EA also suppresses Nf-kB and MAPK pathways, mitigating inflammation during NAFLD/NASH. The evidence also shows that EA can reduce both triglyceride and cholesterol levels, thus combating de novo lipogenesis, which is a significant risk factor in NASH progression.” 

The liver-support market is growing and seems to be the next big category embraced and touted by health-minded consumers.

Tweet:  Liver support is a growing trend and we are thrilled because the liver has always been overshadowed. Beyond milk thistle, researchers have found that pomegranate can help protect the liver against NAFLD. #loveyourliver, #pomegranatepower, #pomegranate

Study Suggests A Link Between Excess Niacin and Heart Disease

Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic say they have identified a new pathway that contributes to cardiovascular disease associated with high levels of niacin, a common B vitamin (B3) previously recommended to lower cholesterol. The team discovered a link between 4PY, a breakdown product from excess niacin, and heart disease. Higher circulating levels of 4PY were strongly associated with development of heart attack, stroke and other adverse cardiac events in large-scale clinical studies. The researchers also showed in preclinical studies that 4PY directly triggers vascular inflammation which damages blood vessels and can lead to atherosclerosis over time.

The study also details genetic links between 4PY and vascular inflammation. The findings provide a foundation for potential new interventions and therapeutics to reduce or prevent that inflammation.

"What's exciting about these results is that this pathway appears to be a previously unrecognized yet significant contributor to the development of cardiovascular disease," commented lead author Stanley Hazen, MD, PhD. "What's more, we can measure it, meaning there is potential for diagnostic testing. These insights set the stage for developing new approaches to counteract the effects of this pathway."

Niacin is very common in a Western diet. "For decades, the United States and more than 50 nations have mandated niacin fortification in staple foods such as flour, cereals and oats to prevent disease related to nutritional deficiency," said Dr. Hazen. However, their research found that approximately 25% or one in four people in their cohorts appeared to be consuming too much, exhibiting high levels of 4PY, which appears to contribute to cardiovascular disease development.

The new findings also might help explain why niacin is no longer a go-to treatment for lowering cholesterol. Niacin was one of the first treatments prescribed to lower LDL or "bad" cholesterol. However, eventually niacin showed to be less effective than other cholesterol-lowering drugs and was associated with other negative effects and higher mortality rates in previous research.

"Niacin's effects have always been somewhat of a paradox," Dr. Hazen said. "Despite niacin lowering of cholesterol, the clinical benefits have always been less than anticipated based on the degree of LDL reduction. This led to the idea that excess niacin caused unclear adverse effects that partially counteracted the benefits of LDL lowering. We believe our findings help explain this paradox. This illustrates why investigating residual cardiovascular risk is so critical; we learn so much more than what we set out to find."

Tweet:  There can be too much of a good thing, and researchers in a new study have found that excessive niacin (vitamin B3) may be linked to the development of cardiovascular disease. #healthyheart, #healthylife, #hearthealth