In people with long-term liver disease, having more of a certain gut-related acid in the blood might be linked to having more leg muscle strength — and this acid could help doctors spot muscle loss early.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Community contributions welcome

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Association of lithocholic acid with skeletal muscle hypertrophy through TGR5-IGF-1 and skeletal muscle mass in cultured mouse myotubes, chronic liver disease rats and humans

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2022 Oct 7

The study found that people with more of a certain bile acid (LCA) in their blood also had more muscle mass, just like the claim says.

Contradicting (0)

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No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Association of lithocholic acid with skeletal muscle hypertrophy through TGR5-IGF-1 and skeletal muscle mass in cultured mouse myotubes, chronic liver disease rats and humans

Score: 51

DOI: 10.7554/eLife.80638

Similar Assertions

Higher levels of a substance called lithocholic acid in the blood might mean better survival for people with chronic liver disease — one study found that patients with levels above 0.32 had better outcomes over about 3 years.

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72%

Giving BCAA supplements to rats with liver disease might help them keep more muscle, and it’s linked to changes in certain bile acids in their blood.

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72%