Evidence supporting the use of: Catechin
For the health condition: Fatty Liver Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Catechins, a class of polyphenolic compounds found predominantly in green tea, have been investigated for their potential benefits in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The primary catechin of interest is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Several preclinical studies (in vitro and animal models) and a limited number of human clinical trials have explored the effects of catechins on hepatic fat accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation—key features of fatty liver disease.
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in 2020 (Phytotherapy Research, PMID: 32702280) showed that green tea or green tea extract supplementation resulted in modest reductions in liver enzyme levels (ALT and AST), which are surrogate markers for liver injury. A few clinical trials (J Nutr 2009; Int J Mol Med 2013) have reported improvements in hepatic steatosis and metabolic parameters among NAFLD patients taking green tea extracts rich in catechins. However, these studies often suffer from small sample sizes, short durations, and varying dosages, which limit the strength of their conclusions.
While preclinical evidence is promising and several mechanisms—such as improved lipid metabolism, reduced oxidative stress, and anti-inflammatory effects—have been proposed, the overall clinical evidence remains preliminary. Major liver societies do not currently recommend catechins as a standard therapy for NAFLD. Thus, catechins may offer benefit, but their efficacy is not yet strongly established.
Other ingredients used for Fatty Liver Disease
akkermansia muciniphilaalgal oil
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anthocyanins
arjun tree
artichoke
astaxanthin
banaba
barberry
barley
beet
berberine
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium longum
black garlic
sesame
branched-chain amino acids
butyrate triglyceride
canola oil
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
chia seed
chicory
chlorella
chokeberry
choline
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
turmeric
curcumin
cyclodextrin
dandelion
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fenugreek
fiber blend (proprietary)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
ginger
grape
hesperetin
kelp
l-carnitine
l-glutathione
l-methionine
l-taurine
lecithin
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
marine lipid
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
milk thistle
naringin
niacin (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
palmitoleic acid
perilla
phenolic acids
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
psyllium
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
silymarin
spirulina
tocotrienols
trans-pterostilbene
tributyrin
trimethylglycine (TMG)
triphala
Urolithin A
vitamin C
vitamin E
seaweed
mulberry
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
jiaogulan
enicostemma littorale
punarnava
picrorhiza kurroa
lingzhi
morus
ferulic acid
ganoderma
polyphenols
anemarrhena asphodeloides
coix
nopal
algae
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
4-hydroxyisoleucine
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Arjuna
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Antrodia camphorata
Avocado
Ascophyllum nodosum
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Adzuki bean
Ampelopsin
Algal protein
Alisma
Arabinoxylan
Argan nut oil
Anemarrhena
alpha Methyl Tetradecylthioacetic Acid
Apocynin
Arjunolic acid
Borotutu
Brutieridin
Brown Algae
Brassica
Berberis (unspecified)
Baicalein
Blakeslea trispora
Betanin
Bifidobacteria
bile acid
Baicalin
Carqueja
Chebulic acid
Camelina Oil
Coriander
chlorogenic acid
Cynarin
Cruciferous
Chitin-Glucan Complex
Caulerpa okamurae
Copalchi
Curcuma
Corilagin
Crocetin
Cynaropicrin
corosolic acid
Carnosic acid
Diallyl sulfide
Danshen
Dihydromyricetin
DL-Methionine
Decursin
D-Pinitol
Diosgenin
Dithiolthiones
epicatechin
Eriocitrin
Ergothioneine
Erythrodiol
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Eucommia ulmoides
Fucoidan
Fiber
Fucosterol
Fatty acids
Flavanones
Fucoxanthin
Flavonolignan
Glutathione
Rhubarb
walnut
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Catechin
Alzheimer's DiseaseArthritis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (prevention)
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Fatty Liver Disease
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Hypertension
Inflammation
Memory and Brain Function
Osteoporosis
Triglycerides (high)
Ulcers