Study: Tocomin SupraBio Improves Liver Stiffness Measurement In Patients

4 Nov 2013 --- At the recently concluded Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL), a research team of medical doctors from the Philippines, led by Dr. Marilyn Arguillas shows that supplementation with Tocomin SupraBio patented and bio-enhanced full spectrum palm tocotrienol/tocopherol complex (manufactured by Carotech) at 100mg daily for 3 months significantly reduces liver stiffness in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Dr. Marilyn Arguillas used non-invasive Transient Elastography (FibroScan) to measure liver stiffness among NAFLD patients. Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM) is routinely used to determine the hepatic fibrosis stage in NAFLD patients.

“The development of fibrosis marks the connection between fatty liver disease and end-stage liver disease,” Dr. Arguillas said in a newspaper interview.

The study involved 67 patients for three months. Patients were divided into two groups (treatment group and control group). Both groups were placed under Lifestyle Modification Advice Group (LMAG), which included nutritional counseling and advice on exercise. The Treatment group, however, was also placed on 100mg of mixed tocotrienol (containing Tocomin SupraBio) daily for 3 months.

After 3 months, 57% of all patients (n=38) showed decrease in their liver stiffness measurement, but 43% (n=29) did not improve. 79% of those who improved were from the Treatment group and 21% from LMAG alone. Out of the 29 patients who did not improve, 23 patients or 79% are from LMAG alone and only 6 patients or 21% from Treatment group.

The study shows that lifestyle modification and exercise together with supplementation of tocotrienol (Tocomin SupraBio) had a significant effect on the improvement of liver stiffness measure

NAFLD often coexists with metabolic syndrome especially type 2 diabetes and obesity. It is reported to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and affects approximately 30% of the population in Western countries. Recently, the University of Hong Kong reported that a staggering 40% of healthy Hong Kong population have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with majority of them not aware of the condition.

In an earlier animal study , Japanese researchers reported that simultaneous intake of tocotrienols with alpha-tocopherol synergistically inhibited lipid accumulation, inflammation and fibrosis in the liver, which further underscores the importance of tocotrienols and tocopherols in reducing the severity or risk of NAFLD.

“Human studies using Tocomin SupraBio have previously shown that tocotrienols improve liver conditions in NAFLD and end stage liver disease and that alpha-tocopherol works in a synergistic manner with tocotrienols in exerting these liver protective effects. We are pleased to learn of this latest study from the Philippines, which further supports hepatoprotective benefits of Tocomin SupraBio,” says WH Leong, Vice President of Carotech Inc.

“To date, there is no drug or therapeutic agent that could cure NAFLD. This study shows that supplementation of Tocomin SupraBio at 100mg daily coupled with life style modification for 3 months have significant benefits in reducing liver stiffness, hence minimizing risk of progressing to NASH, as well as other NAFLD-related diseases including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (metabolic syndrome),” added WH Leong.

Sources: “The Effect of Vitamin E (Mixed Tocotrienol) on the Liver Stiffness measurement Measured by Transient Elastography (FibroScan) among NAFLD Patients”, presented at APASL Liver Week, Singapore, June 7th, 2013.