New research findings suggest that proper intake of Vitamin D can inhibit the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. (Image courtesy of KDCA)
SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — New research findings suggest that proper intake of Vitamin D can inhibit the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition commonly associated with aging.
The National Institute of Health, which operates under the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, shared these results in the January online edition of ‘Experimental & Molecular Medicine’, as per a statement issued on January 16.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease occurs when more than 5% of the liver is composed of fat. In South Korea, 40.4% of people aged 65 and older are affected by this condition.
Given its potential to progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and its links to chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and dementia, awareness and prevention are crucial.
The team from the Division of Endocrine and Kidney Disease Research at the National Institute of Health used aging mice to demonstrate, for the first time globally, that natural aging-induced Vitamin D deficiency significantly reduces the mitochondrial inner membrane structure regulating protein (Mic60).
This reduction leads to a substantial increase in fat accumulation in the liver.
Furthermore, the study found that supplementing aging mice with sufficient Vitamin D increased Mic60 levels, thereby inhibiting the formation of fatty liver.
Park Hyun-Young, the head of the National Institute of Health, emphasized the significance of this study: “This research proves the previously unsubstantiated effects of Vitamin D in preventing fatty liver.” Park suggested that adequate Vitamin D intake in the elderly could reduce the incidence of fatty liver caused by aging.
In Korea, the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency is increasing, particularly compared to Western populations. The number of individuals with Vitamin D deficiency in Korea rose 2.9 times from 86,285 in 2017 to 247,077 in 2021.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
