Omega 3 platforms: BASF targets Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as scientific support behind intervention grows

16 Aug 2018 --- BASF is targeting Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) with Hepaxa, its first-to-market omega 3 product dedicated to the dietary management of the disease. Hepaxa increases the levels of fatty omega 3 acids in patients, which improves the liver's ability to process fat. Importantly, Hepaxa is manufactured using a patented purification technology which removes certain pollutants known to harm NAFLD patients. A recent meta-analysis of 18 studies, in part funded by BASF, has highlighted the importance of omega 3 intakes among people who have NAFLD.

“The meta-analysis provides further evidence that increasing the intake of n-3 LC-PUFAs can help with the dietary management of NAFLD,” says Christoph Garbotz, Head of Commercial Management Advanced Health Solutions at BASF. “Hepaxa is a breakthrough in the nutritional support options for patients with NAFLD – in addition to a healthy diet and exercise, Hepaxa can help turn early-stage NAFLD around.”

“We are excited to see that Hepaxa as a result of our research and development efforts targeting liver health, where we are capitalizing on our unique scientific competencies, is able to address a big unmet need and potentially help millions of NAFLD patients in the US alone, as it is one of the most common forms of chronic liver disease,” Garbotz tells NutritionInsight.

Garbotz highlights the importance of research in the medical food space focusing on disease-specific solutions to better understand the role and potential of key nutrients in addressing distinct nutritional requirement. “By properly understanding how different food ingredients can counteract the development of certain diseases, effective measures can be created to help consumers and minimize the need for medical intervention,” Garbotz further details.

NAFLD has become a disease of public health significance in western countries, afflicting both adults and children. Currently, there are no pharmacological treatments for NAFLD and diet and exercise represent the first line of treatment (Standard of Care) in its management.

As found in the meta-analysis, dietary management with n-3 LC-PUFAs resulted in statistically significant improvements in liver fat content, steatosis score and several cardiometabolic risk factors. The authors concluded that, in addition to following a sensible eating plan and increasing physical activity levels, adult and pediatric patients with NAFLD should be encouraged to increase their intakes of n-3 LC-PUFAs. The findings strengthen past studies which have shown that patients with NAFLD have lower levels of the fatty acids EPA and DHA compared to patients without NAFLD.

BASF launched Hepaxa in February 2018 in the US as the first-to-market, dedicated product for the dietary management of patients with NAFLD. 

Omega suitable for NAFLD patients
NAFLD is defined as fat accumulated in the liver, representing more than five percent of its weight. This condition has an estimated prevalence of 20-30 percent in the western population and is closely linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Hepaxa is manufactured using a patented purification technology, which removes persistent organic pollutants and other unwanted lipids, such as cholesterol that are naturally found in many fish oil-based products. 

Research has shown that one specific pollutant, PCB 153, is particularly harmful to NAFLD patients. As the liver function of NAFLD patients is compromised, it is important to limit exposure to unwanted components that are present in many less-refined fish oils. 

Hepaxa is GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) for use as a medical food for the dietary management of NAFLD at intakes of up to 3g a day of EPA & DHA for both adults and pediatrics ten years of age and older in the US. 

“BASF is currently developing a portfolio for medical foods with a focus on science-based solutions for patients with specific conditions, such as NAFLD. We are very excited about the prospects we are working on and the much-needed value they can bring to millions of patients around the world,” Garbotz concludes.

By Laxmi Haigh