HOPE FOR FATTY LIVERS

Research by Oregon State University suggests a pair of compounds originating from hops can help prevent a build-up of fat in the liver known as hepatic steatosis. The liver helps the body process nutrients and also acts as a filter for the circulatory system; too much fat in the liver can lead to inflammation and liver failure. The Oregon State researchers led by Adrian Gombart showed that certain compounds, abbreviated to XN and TXN, can mitigate diet-induced accumulation of fat in the liver. The findings are important because the condition affects roughly one-fourth of people in the Western world. While heavy drinking is often associated with liver problems, 25 per cent of people with liver problems have little or no history of alcohol use, which is why their illness is known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.