Vitamin E as a Treatment for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Reality or Myth?

Antioxidants (Basel). 2018 Jan 16;7(1):12. doi: 10.3390/antiox7010012.

Abstract

Obesity is one of the major epidemics of this millennium, and its incidence is growing worldwide. Following the epidemics of obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a disease of increasing prevalence and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality closely related to cardiovascular disease, malignancies, and cirrhosis. It is believed that oxidative stress is a main player in the development and progression of NAFLD. Currently, a pharmacological approach has become necessary in NAFLD because of a failure to modify lifestyle and dietary habits in most patients. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that has been shown to reduce oxidative stress in NAFLD. This review summarizes the biological activities of vitamin E, with a primary focus on its therapeutic efficacy in NAFLD.

Keywords: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; obesity; oxidative stress; vitamin E.

Publication types

  • Review