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Leonid Kim MD - Best Supplements to Reverse Fatty Liver (Science-Backed)

Thumbnail of the video “Leonid Kim MD - Best Supplements to Reverse Fatty Liver (Science-Backed)”
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Author: Leonid Kim MD
Categories: Health Nutrition
Tags: health, nutrition
Views: 2 · Last viewed: 2026-10-16 15:00 UTC

Short Summary

Main recommendation: The video reviews several supplements with some scientific evidence for fatty liver, including curcumin, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics (with prebiotics), choline, berberine, CoQ10, and vitamin E, while stressing that most benefits can be obtained through diet and that several carry safety concerns requiring a doctor's input. Dr. Leonid Kim notes that supplements can enhance recovery but are not required to fix fatty liver disease.

Key Points

  • Dr. Kim says curcumin (the active compound in turmeric) is linked to lower blood sugar, better insulin sensitivity, and reduced liver markers like ALT and AST, citing a 2019 meta-analysis of nine randomized trials.
  • Omega-3s (EPA and DHA) may reduce inflammation, triglycerides, and liver fat, with a dose-dependent improvement, but higher doses are associated with increased atrial fibrillation risk.
  • Probiotics, ideally paired with prebiotics, were associated with improved liver markers in a 2022 umbrella review, with no adverse events observed; the video also links gut permeability to liver inflammation.
  • Choline evidence is preliminary (a case-control study showing an 81% reduction in hepatic steatosis with high choline intake), so the speaker advises getting it from food rather than supplements until more data exists.
  • Dr. Kim notes berberine showed positive effects on liver function, blood glucose, and cholesterol in a meta-analysis of six trials with over 500 patients.
  • CoQ10 and vitamin E have limited or mixed evidence, with specific cautions about blood thinners (CoQ10) and higher-dose mortality and prostate cancer risks (vitamin E).

Details Worth Noting

  • Concrete instructions: Get the recommended omega-3 intake mainly from foods such as seafood, walnuts, and chia seeds; get prebiotic fiber from apples, bananas, oats, chickpeas, asparagus, and red kidney beans; get choline from eggs with yolks, lean meats, dairy, and seafood; discuss omega-3, CoQ10, and vitamin E supplements with a doctor before taking them; consult a doctor before taking CoQ10 if using blood thinners.
  • The speaker generally does not recommend high-dose omega-3s for his patients unless the person has very high cardiac risk, where benefits may outweigh the atrial fibrillation risk.
  • The CoQ10 trial used 100 mg daily for 12 weeks in a small study of 44 participants; the speaker cautions these results are hard to extrapolate.
  • Vitamin E at 800 IU per day showed improvement in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in an older trial, but is only recommended for people with more advanced fatty liver disease.
  • Milk thistle was not covered in this video; the speaker says it was addressed in a separate video.

Bottom Line

Supplements such as curcumin, probiotics, and berberine have the most promising evidence for fatty liver, but several carry risks at higher doses, so decisions should be made with a physician based on individual health history.