The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD has rapidly increased in the past decades. Unfortunately, this tendency can be observed worldwide as it affects one in four people in the developed countries. Its main risk factor is obesity and the accompanying metabolic problems. Although the cause of the disease is yet to be discovered, if diagnosed in time it’s fortunately reversable. In order to achieve that appropriate diet and lifestyle changes are necessary.

The disease turns serious when the liver is constantly inflamed, and scarring occurs. This condition is called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and just like excessive alcohol consumption in time it leads to irreversible tissue damage in the liver. Since the exact cause of the disease is unknown there is no official treatment at present.

Singaporean scientists made a new discovery in a study published in August 2022 which can potentially help in treating the disease and by means of a risk free, cheap therapy at that.

It had been identified in older studies that a high homocysteine level is linked to NASH risk while vitamins B9 and B12 supplementation can lower this level.

It’s been discovered that as soon as the level of homocysteine rises it connects to liver cells more and changes their structure and hinders their functioning. This eventually leads to liver cells’ diminished ability to digest and transport fat. Also, it’s gradually harder for the cells to clean themselves through autophagy. The final direct consequence of this deformation is that the fatty liver becomes inflamed and damaged.

The most important discovery of the scientists was that if the patients’ diets were supplemented with vitamins B9 and B12 the vitamins restore the level of the substance that the high level of homocysteine reduced thus restoring the normal functioning of liver cells. Vitamin supplementation successfully reversed hepatitis and tissue damage if treatment started in time.