Finnish trial finds prebiotic fiber reduces liver fat in overweight adults

A clinical trial in Finland found that a prebiotic fiber supplement improved liver health in patients with fatty liver disease, according to the study's findings. Researchers gave 42 overweight participants 2.8 grams daily of xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS), a prebiotic fiber, for four months and measured liver fat with magnetic resonance imaging before and after the intervention. The supplement lowered levels of harmful metabolites in the gut that contribute to fat accumulation, the data showed. The effect was most pronounced in participants with an imbalance in their gut microbiome, whose bacterial composition improved and who also saw a reduction in visceral fat, the fat surrounding internal organs that carries the highest health risks. The researchers noted that the supplement's effect depended on the baseline condition of the gut and liver, with no notable change observed in participants who had advanced fatty liver disease. The study also referenced earlier research linking fatty liver disease to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. No further details on the research team or publication venue were immediately available.