A research team from Université Laval has demonstrated the benefits of camu-camu for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which affects more than seven million people in Canada. This exotic fruit reduces liver fat content.
Thirty participants in this randomized clinical trial took camu-camu extract or a placebo at various times over twelve weeks. Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine fat content in the liver. Scientists observed a 7.43% reduction in liver lipids when study participants took camu-camu extract. With the placebo, they noted an 8.42% increase in liver fat.
“That’s a significant difference of 15.85%,” said André Marette, professor at the Faculty of Medicine and researcher at the Institut une cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec – Université Laval (IUCPQ-ULaval), who led the study.
Polyphenols and the microbiota
This effect stems from the polyphenols in camu-camu and their relationship with the gut microbiota. “The microbiota metabolizes the large polyphenol molecules that cannot be absorbed by the intestine, transforming them into smaller molecules that the body can assimilate to reduce liver fat,” explains André Marette.
His team has identified two possible mechanisms of action for these small polyphenols. “They could reduce lipogenesis, that is, the formation of lipid droplets in the liver. They could also stimulate the breakdown of lipids by oxidation. A combination of the two mechanisms probably explains the high efficacy of the extract, since we work on both sides of the game.” the coin,” reports Professor Marette, who worked with scientists from the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF).
However, the team noted a wide variability in the response to camu-camu. “We hypothesize that the initial gut microbiota influences the response to polyphenols. If we find the factors involved, we may be able to modify the microbiota and increase the efficacy of the extract,” explains Professor Marette.
Although camu-camu is an exotic fruit, its extract is easily available in capsule form. However, Professor Marette emphasizes the importance of checking the levels of certain polyphenols, as not all commercial products are equivalent.
Cranberries, which also contain a number of partially different polyphenols, could also have a protective effect. In the future, Professor Marette hopes to investigate whether combining camu-camu and cranberry can have a synergistic effect.
The research was published in the journal Cell reports medicine. The other authors are Anne-Laure Agrinier, Arianne Morissette, Laurence Daoust, Théo Gignac, Julie Marois, Thibault V.Varin, Geneviève Pilon, Éric Larose, Claudia Gagnon, Yves Desjardins, Fernando F Anhê, Anne-Marie Carreau and Marie-Claude Vohl.
