A recent study published in the journal Nutrients reveals that a specific spice helps reduce liver fat and inflammation when taken regularly.
Most doctors recommend diet, exercise, and weight loss to treat NAFLD.
Since it’s common among people who are overweight, diabetic, or dealing with high cholesterol, this advice makes sense and is often effective.
Curcumin is a natural compound found in turmeric.
And the researchers behind this study wondered if its anti-inflammatory powers could boost the standard treatment.
They tested this idea in a clinical trial involving 72 adults between the ages of 40 and 70.
All participants had both NAFLD and type 2 diabetes, a group especially prone to liver fat.
One group took 1,500 mg of curcumin daily (in three doses), while the other group received a placebo.
Both groups continued their usual care and lifestyle habits.
The study lasted 12 months.
Here’s what happened in the curcumin group:
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1. Liver fat dropped by 30.9 dB/m (placebo group: only 8.9 dB/m drop).
2. Liver stiffness (a sign of fibrosis) improved significantly.
3. Inflammation markers like hs-CRP, TNF, IL-1β, and IL-6 went down.
4. Liver enzymes ALT and AST dropped more than in the placebo group.
5. Antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) increased.
6. BMI, waist size, and total body fat all decreased.
7. Harmful blood fatty acids dropped.
8. Blood sugar control improved—lower HbA1c and fasting glucose.
9. No serious side effects were reported.
The researchers concluded that curcumin is a safe, promising supplement for managing NAFLD - especially when combined with lifestyle changes.
And it’s widely available.