From an article this week in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

At the American Society for Investigative Pathology in Philadelphia this week, Isabelle Harber, an undergraduate researcher in Muhammad Nadeem Aslam MD’s lab at the University of Michigan, presented new research during the Experimental Biology (EB) 2022 meeting,. 

“Most people living in Western society do not meet the USDA daily intake guidelines for the intake of calcium and magnesium and, presumably, other minerals nutritionally associated with these minerals,” said Harber. “We are working to find out if a mineral supplement could provide a low-cost, low- to no-toxicity approach to mitigating the devastating consequences of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.” 

Isabelle Harber – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

In preliminary studies, the researchers fed mice a high-fat diet (HFWD) to induce the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and NASH. They studied these mice for 15 to 18 months to observe the full spectrum of liver disease, including advanced fibrotic changes and liver cancer.

These studies revealed a dramatic reduction in late-stage consequences of NASH in the animals that were fed the high-fat diet and received the multi-mineral supplement Aquamin, compared to those that didn’t receive the supplement. In short-term studies lasting about 24 weeks, the researchers identified protein changes associated with the NASH and reduced tumor formation in the longer studies. 

Overindulgence of dietary fats and carbs leads to obesity and associated metabolic disorders including fatty liver disease. Some people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease develop a more aggressive form known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in which the liver is inflamed. This can progress to advanced scarring known as cirrhosis, which can lead to liver failure and cancer.

However, Aquamin, which is rich in calcium, magnesium and additional elements (derived from calcified Lithothamnion), could help stop this progression.

Deltagen supplies Aquamin products for a wide variety of food applications, including plant based beverages and foods as well as grades that are suitable for complementary medicine formulation.

More details on the science behind this product and registration at the product website:

Deltagen Australia is a member of the Marigot Group, manufacturers of Aquamin.

Andrew Brennan, April 2022