Can chia seeds and flaxseeds affect liver enzymes?

Effect of Chia Seeds and Flaxseeds on Liver Enzymes

Chia seeds and flaxseeds may have beneficial effects on liver enzymes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), potentially improving liver function and reducing liver fat content. However, there is no evidence that they cause harm to liver enzymes in healthy individuals.

Evidence on Chia Seeds and Liver Enzymes

Beneficial Effects in NAFLD

• Recent clinical research demonstrates that chia seed supplementation (25g/day for 8 weeks) can lead to regression of NAFLD in 52% of treated patients 1
• Chia supplementation has been shown to decrease:
  • Visceral abdominal fat (9%)
  • Total cholesterol (2.5%)
  • Non-HDL cholesterol (3.2%)
  • Circulating free fatty acids (8%)

Mechanism of Action

• Chia seeds are rich in:

  • Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid
  • Antioxidants
  • Dietary fiber

• In patients with diabetes and NAFLD, chia supplementation (25g/day) has shown to improve liver function markers 2:

  • Reduced liver fat content
  • Decreased inflammatory markers (IL-6 by 44%, IL-1β by 22%)
  • Increased adiponectin (47%)
  • Decreased resistin (30%)

Evidence on Flaxseeds and Liver Enzymes

A 2025 randomized controlled trial showed that flaxseed powder supplementation (30g/day for 12 weeks) in NAFLD patients 3:

• Significantly reduced liver fat content
• Improved liver function tests:
  • Decreased serum total bilirubin (TBIL)
  • Decreased direct bilirubin (DBIL)
  • Decreased indirect bilirubin (IBIL)
  • Decreased aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
• Improved lipid profile:
  • Decreased total cholesterol (TC)
  • Decreased triglycerides (TG)
  • Increased HDL-C and apolipoprotein A1

Safety Considerations

Potential Hepatotoxicity Risks

• While chia and flaxseeds themselves have not shown hepatotoxic effects, caution should be exercised with certain supplements:
  • CBD products at doses ≥300 mg/day have been associated with a nearly 6-fold increase in liver enzyme elevation 4
  • Herbal supplements should generally be avoided in patients with liver disease 5

Monitoring Recommendations

• For patients with existing liver disease who consume chia or flaxseeds:
  • Regular monitoring of liver function tests is prudent
  • Particular attention should be paid to AST, ALT, and GGT levels

Clinical Application

For Healthy Individuals

• No evidence suggests that moderate consumption of chia seeds or flaxseeds negatively affects liver enzymes in healthy individuals
• These seeds may be incorporated into a healthy diet without concern for liver enzyme elevation

For NAFLD Patients

• Chia seeds (25g/day) or flaxseeds (30g/day) may be beneficial as part of a comprehensive dietary approach
• Should be used as a complement to other lifestyle modifications:
  • Reduction in total energy consumption
  • Low-carbohydrate and low-fructose diet 5
  • Regular exercise (at least 30 minutes twice per week) 5

Contraindications

• Patients should be advised to abstain from alcohol when consuming these seeds, especially if they have any existing liver condition 5
• Patients with celiac disease should ensure the products are certified gluten-free

Conclusion

Based on current evidence, chia seeds and flaxseeds appear to have beneficial rather than harmful effects on liver enzymes, particularly in the context of NAFLD. Their consumption as part of a healthy diet is unlikely to cause liver enzyme elevations in healthy individuals and may actually improve liver function in those with fatty liver disease.