Researchers discovered that a natural extract from green seaweed called enteromorpha polysaccharide (EP) may help protect your liver and improve how your body processes sugar and fat. Using mice fed a high-fat diet, scientists found that EP worked by blocking a harmful protein called K18 that builds up when you eat too much fat. This discovery could eventually lead to new natural treatments for fatty liver disease, a condition where fat accumulates in the liver and disrupts how your body handles glucose and cholesterol. The study shows promise, but human testing is still needed before we know if it works the same way in people.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a natural substance from green seaweed can reverse liver damage and improve sugar and fat metabolism caused by eating a high-fat diet
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice fed a high-fat diet to develop fatty liver disease, plus cells exposed to high levels of fatty acids in controlled experiments
  • Key finding: The seaweed extract significantly reduced fat buildup in the liver and improved how the body processed sugar and fat by blocking a harmful protein called K18. These improvements were statistically significant (p < 0.05), meaning the results were unlikely to be due to chance.
  • What it means for you: This research suggests a natural seaweed extract might one day help people with fatty liver disease, but this is early-stage research. Don’t expect seaweed supplements to be a cure yet—human studies are needed first. If you have fatty liver disease, talk to your doctor about proven treatments like diet changes and exercise.

The Research Details

Scientists used two different experimental approaches to test the seaweed extract. First, they fed mice a high-fat diet to create fatty liver disease, then gave some mice the seaweed extract to see if it helped. Second, they grew liver cells in a lab and exposed them to high levels of fatty acids (the building blocks of fat) to mimic what happens in the body during fatty liver disease. This dual approach—testing in both living animals and isolated cells—helps researchers understand both the overall effect and the specific biological mechanisms at work.

The researchers also performed a special experiment where they ‘knocked down’ (reduced) the K18 protein in cells to see if this protein was actually responsible for the harmful effects. This type of experiment helps prove that K18 is a key player in the disease process, not just a bystander.

Using both animal models and cell cultures strengthens the research because it shows the effect works at multiple biological levels. The K18 knockdown experiment is particularly important because it demonstrates a cause-and-effect relationship rather than just a correlation. This type of evidence is crucial for understanding how a treatment actually works in the body.

This is laboratory-based research, which is an important first step but not the final word. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other scientists reviewed it for quality. However, because it only tested mice and cells—not humans—we can’t be certain the results will translate to people. Animal studies often show promise that doesn’t always work the same way in humans. The specific sample sizes for the animal and cell experiments weren’t provided in the abstract, which limits our ability to assess statistical power.

What the Results Show

The high-fat diet caused significant problems in the mice’s livers and their ability to process sugar and fat. When researchers gave the seaweed extract (EP) to these mice, it reversed many of these problems. Specifically, the extract reduced fat accumulation in the liver and improved glucose and lipid metabolism—meaning the body handled sugar and fat more normally.

The mechanism appears to work through a specific protein called K18. In mice eating the high-fat diet, K18 levels increased abnormally. When given the seaweed extract, K18 levels decreased back toward normal. The researchers also found that K18 controls a chain of proteins (IRS-1, PI3K, AKT, and GSK3β) that are crucial for how your body processes sugar and fat.

In the cell experiments, when scientists artificially reduced K18 levels, the harmful effects of excess fatty acids were partially reversed. This suggests K18 is a key control switch that the seaweed extract targets. All these changes were statistically significant (p < 0.05), meaning they’re unlikely to be random results.

The study found that serum K18 levels (K18 in the bloodstream) were elevated in mice with fatty liver disease, suggesting this protein might be measurable as a biomarker for the condition. The seaweed extract also affected several related proteins in the signaling pathway, including reducing phosphorylated forms of PI3K and AKT, which are markers of cellular stress in fatty liver disease.

Previous research had shown that enteromorpha polysaccharides could improve glucose and lipid metabolism, but the exact mechanism was unknown. This study fills that gap by identifying K18 as a central player. The findings align with existing knowledge that the PI3K/AKT pathway is important in metabolic diseases, but this is the first research to specifically link K18 to this pathway in the context of fatty liver disease.

This research was conducted entirely in laboratory settings (mice and cells), not in humans. Results in animals don’t always translate to people due to differences in metabolism and complexity. The study doesn’t specify exact sample sizes for the animal groups, making it harder to assess whether the experiments had enough subjects to draw reliable conclusions. We don’t know if the seaweed extract would work at different doses or in different populations. Additionally, the study doesn’t compare the seaweed extract to existing treatments for fatty liver disease, so we can’t say whether it would be better or worse than current options.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research alone, we cannot recommend seaweed supplements as a treatment for fatty liver disease. This is early-stage research with moderate confidence in the biological mechanism but low confidence in real-world application. For people with fatty liver disease, proven approaches include weight loss (if overweight), reducing sugar and processed foods, limiting alcohol, and regular exercise. If you’re interested in seaweed as a supplement, discuss it with your doctor—it’s unlikely to cause harm but shouldn’t replace established treatments.

This research is most relevant to people with fatty liver disease (NAFLD), researchers studying metabolic diseases, and pharmaceutical companies developing new treatments. People with metabolic syndrome, obesity, or type 2 diabetes might find this interesting since these conditions often involve similar metabolic problems. However, this research is not yet ready for general public use. People should not self-treat with seaweed supplements based on this single study.

Even if this research leads to human trials, it typically takes 5-10 years to develop a new treatment from laboratory research to FDA approval. We’re likely several years away from knowing whether this approach works in humans. In the meantime, established lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) remain the most proven approach for managing fatty liver disease.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track liver health markers if you have fatty liver disease: monitor weight weekly, record meals to identify high-fat intake patterns, and note energy levels. If your doctor orders liver function tests, track AST and ALT enzyme levels over time to see if lifestyle changes are helping.
  • If you have fatty liver disease, use the app to reduce high-fat foods and increase whole foods like vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. Set a goal to reduce processed foods by 50% over 8 weeks. You could also track daily movement—aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity most days, as exercise is proven to help fatty liver disease.
  • Create a monthly check-in to review weight trends, dietary patterns, and any lab results from your doctor. Set reminders for regular doctor visits to monitor liver function. Track how you feel—energy levels, digestion, and overall wellness—as these often improve with better metabolic health.

This research is preliminary laboratory work in animals and cells, not human clinical trials. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. Seaweed supplements are not FDA-approved treatments for fatty liver disease. If you have fatty liver disease or metabolic concerns, consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplements. This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always discuss new supplements with your doctor, especially if you take medications or have existing health conditions.