The Impact of Nutrition Education and Rice Bran Supplementation on Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease

The Impact of Nutrition Education and Rice Bran Supplementation on Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease

This study aims to evaluate the effects of nutrition education with or without rice bran supplementation in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Participants were recruited from the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Changhua Christian Hospital and assigned to either a nutrition education (NE) group or a nutrition education plus rice bran (NERB) group. The intervention was conducted for a specified study period, during which participants received dietary guidance and follow-up assessments.

The primary objective of this study is to determine whether rice bran supplementation in addition to nutrition education provides greater benefits on body weight, body mass index, dietary intake, and metabolic parameters compared with nutrition education alone. Secondary outcomes include changes in liver-related biochemical markers, glycemic indicators, lipid profiles, and other anthropometric measurements.

This study may provide evidence on the potential role of rice bran as a functional dietary supplement for improving metabolic health in patients with MASLD and may support the development of practical nutritional strategies for disease management.

Inclusion Criteria:

• overweight or obese (BMI > 24 kg/m²)
• diagnosed by a physician with moderate fatty liver (grade II)

Exclusion Criteria:

• had stage 3 or higher chronic kidney disease
• were undergoing treatment for malignant disease
• had hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection or carrier status
• had alcoholic hepatitis
• had a known allergy to rice bran.