ParisApril 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A new study confirms that treatment with essential phospholipids (Essentiale) reduces liver fat by 2.5 times, significantly improves fatigue, and enhances blood sugar control in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), also known as “fatty liver disease,” compared to diet and exercise alone.
The results come from the EXCEL clinical trial of Essentiale (an Opella brand), a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study and the first of its kind to test essential phospholipids (EPL). The study examined MASLD patients with comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or obesity.
MASLD is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, estimated to affect 30% of the adult population, with projections indicating over 55% of adults globally could be affected by 2040[1].
Fatty liver disease is often considered a “silent” condition but is frequently associated with a range of debilitating symptoms, such as abdominal pain, fatigue, sleep problems, bloating, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and metabolic risks.
Professor Norbert Stefan, Professor of Clinical and Experimental Diabetes at the University of Tübingen.
“This groundbreaking study marks a pivotal moment for the millions of patients currently living with MASLD. The EXCEL study underscores the clinical importance of early intervention and bridges the gap between scientific evidence and patient experience. By demonstrating measurable improvements in reducing liver fat and alleviating fatigue, this study reinforces a key message: there are effective, evidence-based options to change outcomes and restore hope for a more vibrant life for MASLD patients.”
The EXCEL study used modern non-invasive imaging to measure liver fat, alongside validated disease-specific questionnaires to assess the treatment’s impact on patient well-being. Key trial results showed that when combined with diet and exercise, essential phospholipids were associated with:
- A 2.5-fold greater reduction in liver fat compared to lifestyle intervention alone, as measured by FibroScan CAP (Controlled Attenuation Parameter).
- A statistically significant improvement in patient-reported fatigue, a major and often overlooked symptom of MASLD. This outcome was formally assessed using the validated CLDQ-MASLD score, a standardized measure of well-being in chronic liver disease patients.
- The study also noted that EPL treatment significantly reduced HbA1c levels, a key marker of blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes, making these findings particularly relevant for the large subset of MASLD patients with concurrent metabolic diseases.
Nikunj Thakker, Global Brand Manager of Essentiale at Opella.
“The EXCEL study demonstrates that timing is crucial. When detected early, a significant proportion of MASLD cases are reversible. This evidence-based treatment, combined with diet and exercise, actively reduces liver fat and directly addresses fatigue, changing outcomes for billions of fatty liver disease patients worldwide.”