Researchers discovered that a special combination of two plant compounds called daidzein and betaine can help laying hens recover from a serious liver disease caused by eating high-calorie, low-protein food. The study tested this supplement mixture on 108 chickens and found it worked better than either ingredient alone. The supplement appears to work by improving the balance of bacteria in the chicken’s gut, which then helps the liver process fats more efficiently. This research suggests the supplement could be a natural way to prevent and treat this common poultry disease, though more research in other animals is needed.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a new supplement made from two plant compounds could help chickens recover from a liver disease caused by eating unhealthy food
  • Who participated: 108 laying hens (chickens that produce eggs) that were 28 weeks old, divided into 6 groups receiving different diets and supplements
  • Key finding: Chickens that received the daidzein-betaine supplement combination showed the best improvement in how their bodies processed fats and prevented liver damage, compared to chickens receiving either ingredient alone or no supplement
  • What it means for you: While this research focuses on chickens, it suggests that this plant-based supplement combination might help prevent fatty liver disease in other animals. However, this is early-stage research, and more studies are needed before it could be used in humans.

The Research Details

Scientists divided 108 healthy laying hens into six groups. One group ate normal food, another group ate unhealthy food (high-calorie, low-protein) to create the liver disease, and four other groups ate the unhealthy food plus different supplements. Some groups received just daidzein, some just betaine, some a physical mixture of both, and one group received a specially-made combination where the two compounds were chemically bonded together (called a cocrystal). The researchers then measured how well each supplement worked by checking the chickens’ egg production, egg quality, gut health, and liver function over the study period.

The researchers used several advanced techniques to understand how the supplements worked. They examined the bacteria living in the chickens’ guts, looked at the chemical signals these bacteria produced, and studied which genes in the liver were turned on or off. This multi-layered approach helped them understand the complete picture of how the supplement affected the chickens’ health.

This type of study is valuable because it tests a real-world problem (poor diet causing liver disease) and measures multiple health outcomes at once, rather than just one simple measurement.

Understanding how supplements work through the gut-liver connection is important because the bacteria in our digestive system play a huge role in overall health. By studying this pathway in chickens, scientists can better understand how similar supplements might work in other animals and potentially humans. The fact that the cocrystal form worked better than the individual ingredients suggests that how we combine compounds matters just as much as which compounds we use.

This study has several strengths: it used a large number of animals (108), tested multiple versions of the supplement to find the best one, and used modern scientific techniques to understand the mechanism. However, the study only looked at chickens, so we can’t directly apply these findings to humans yet. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other experts reviewed the work before publication. The researchers measured multiple outcomes rather than just one, which gives a more complete picture of the supplement’s effects.

What the Results Show

The daidzein-betaine cocrystal supplement was the most effective treatment for improving liver health in chickens eating the unhealthy diet. Chickens receiving this supplement showed significant improvements in how their bodies processed fats, with better markers of liver function compared to all other groups. The supplement worked better than daidzein or betaine alone, and better than a simple physical mixture of the two compounds, suggesting that the chemical bonding between the two compounds made it more effective.

The supplement also improved egg production and egg quality in the sick chickens, bringing these measures closer to normal levels. This is important because fatty liver disease typically reduces a chicken’s ability to lay eggs and affects egg quality, so improving these measures shows the supplement was addressing the root problem.

The researchers found that the supplement worked by restoring balance to the chicken’s gut bacteria. Specifically, it reduced harmful bacteria called Desulfovibrio while increasing beneficial bacteria groups. This bacterial rebalancing appeared to trigger improvements in the liver’s ability to process fats through a specific biological pathway called PPAR signaling.

The study identified six key chemical signals produced by gut bacteria that are related to fat metabolism, and the supplement improved all of them. The researchers also found twelve genes in the liver that control fat processing, and the supplement helped normalize the activity of these genes. These findings suggest the supplement works through multiple biological mechanisms rather than just one simple pathway. Additionally, the supplement reduced intestinal damage caused by the unhealthy diet, which may help explain why the gut bacteria improved.

Previous research had shown that daidzein and betaine separately could help with weight management and liver health in mice with diet-induced obesity. This study builds on that work by testing whether combining these compounds would be more effective, and by studying a different health problem (fatty liver disease in chickens rather than obesity in mice). The finding that the cocrystal combination works better than either ingredient alone is new and suggests a promising direction for supplement development. The focus on the gut-liver connection aligns with growing scientific understanding that gut bacteria play a central role in liver health.

This study only tested the supplement in chickens, so we cannot directly apply these results to humans or other animals without additional research. The study didn’t test different doses of the supplement to find the optimal amount. The researchers didn’t follow the chickens long-term after the study ended, so we don’t know if the benefits lasted. Additionally, while the study identified which genes and bacteria changed, it didn’t prove that these changes directly caused the improvement in liver health—they may be markers of improvement rather than the cause. Finally, the study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting with specific chicken breeds, so results might differ in real-world farm conditions.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, the daidzein-betaine cocrystal supplement shows promise for preventing and treating fatty liver disease in laying hens (moderate confidence level). For poultry farmers dealing with this disease, this supplement may be worth considering as part of a broader approach that includes improving diet quality. However, more research is needed before this supplement could be recommended for human use. If you’re interested in this for personal health, consult with a healthcare provider, as this research is specific to chickens and hasn’t been tested in humans.

Poultry farmers and veterinarians managing laying hen flocks should pay attention to this research, as fatty liver disease is a real problem affecting productivity and animal welfare. Nutritionists developing supplements may find the cocrystal approach interesting for future product development. Researchers studying liver disease and gut health should note the gut-liver connection findings. People interested in natural approaches to liver health may find this interesting, but should understand this is early research in animals, not humans.

In the chicken study, improvements in liver function markers appeared within the study period (the exact duration wasn’t specified in the abstract). If similar supplements were developed for humans, it would typically take several years of research before benefits could be expected, starting with laboratory studies, then animal studies, and finally human clinical trials.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using a supplement based on this research, track liver health markers (such as liver enzyme levels from blood tests) every 3 months, along with energy levels and digestive comfort on a daily basis using a simple 1-10 scale
  • Users could log their daily supplement intake and pair it with dietary improvements (increasing protein, reducing high-calorie processed foods) to maximize potential benefits, since the supplement worked best when combined with better overall nutrition
  • Set up monthly check-ins to review blood work trends and symptom changes; create alerts for scheduled liver function tests; track any changes in energy, digestion, or overall wellness using the app’s symptom logging feature

This research was conducted in chickens and has not been tested in humans. The findings should not be interpreted as medical advice or recommendations for human use. Fatty liver disease in humans is a serious condition that requires professional medical evaluation and treatment. Anyone concerned about liver health should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. This summary is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical guidance. Always discuss new supplements with your doctor, especially if you have existing liver conditions or take medications.