Sesamin,
does it really help with Lipids and blood pressure, and fatty liver and liver enzymes?
research showsHuman RCTs of sesamin alone do exist. A meta-analysis of seven trials and 212 participants found changes of −10.89 mg/dL in total cholesterol, −8.43 mg/dL in LDL, and −3.66 mmHg in systolic blood pressure, while HDL, triglycerides, diastolic blood pressure, and body weight were null. These limited lipid and blood-pressure surrogates support an overall C with 44 points. Fatty liver and liver enzymes remain separately rated ? because there is no direct sesamin-only trial, and sesame oil or schisandra-combination results are not attributed to sesamin alone.
ads claimAdvertising combines lipid surrogates, sesame-oil research, and antioxidant mechanisms into claims for fatty liver and liver detoxification. Sesamin-only lipid and blood-pressure signals are distinct from liver results obtained with sesame oil or a schisandra combination.
Useful facts when choosing a product
- Positive liver trials used a schisandra combination or sesame oil, not sesamin alone.
- Standalone human sesamin trials have mainly assessed metabolic surrogates such as glucose, inflammation, and lipids.
- A 28-day safety and pharmacokinetic trial of sesamin and episesamin at 50 mg/day reported no serious adverse events.
- Sesame-derived ingredients may be relevant to people with sesame allergy.
What the research actually shows
Sesamin-only lipid RCTs do exist. A meta-analysis of seven trials and 212 participants found changes of −10.89 mg/dL in total cholesterol, −8.43 mg/dL in LDL, and −3.66 mmHg in systolic blood pressure; HDL, triglycerides, diastolic blood pressure, and body weight were not significant. Included and direct studies were generally small, often with 12 to 48 participants, and focused on surrogate outcomes. In contrast, the Chiu 2013 schisandra-sesamin combination and the Atefi 2022 sesame-oil trial are not sesamin-only liver evidence, and no direct sesamin-only trial of fatty liver or liver enzymes was identified.
Why this is classified as C (44)
Sesamin-only RCTs exist, and a seven-trial, 212-participant meta-analysis found small improvements in total cholesterol, LDL, and systolic blood pressure, so the evidence is not ungradable. Null HDL, triglyceride, diastolic-pressure, and body-weight results, small trials, and surrogate endpoints limit the rating to C with 44 points. Fatty liver and liver enzymes remain separately rated ?.
Counterpoint. The limited lipid and blood-pressure effects are direct human evidence for sesamin alone. This does not attribute liver findings from sesame oil or combinations to sesamin.
Rejudgment record. Reassessment (cross-check reflected) — A seven-trial, 212-participant meta-analysis of sesamin found improvements in total cholesterol, LDL, and systolic blood pressure but null HDL, triglycerides, diastolic pressure, and weight; no direct sesamin-only fatty-liver or liver-enzyme trial exists
Sub-claim grades by effect
This ingredient is marketed for several effects. A single overall grade blends strong and weak claims together, so each effect is graded separately here. The overall grade reflects the strongest disconfirming or core claim.
| Effect (sub-claim) | Grade | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Lipids and blood pressure (surrogates) | C | |
| Fatty liver and liver enzymes | ? | No direct trial of sesamin alone |
Cross-check — Codex and Claude
Evidence Table
| Study | Design | Sample | Funding | Endpoint | Result | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sesamin systematic review and meta-analysis 2022 | Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials | 212 | Unknown | Lipid, blood-pressure, and weight surrogates | Total cholesterol −10.89 mg/dL, LDL −8.43 mg/dL, and systolic blood pressure −3.66 mmHg; HDL, triglycerides, diastolic pressure, and weight were null. | Key |
| Chiu HF et al. 2013 | Randomized parallel placebo-controlled trial | 40 | Unknown | ALT, AST, bilirubin, oxidative stress, and fatty liver grade | The schisandra extract-sesamin combination improved ALT, AST, and fatty liver grade; the contribution of sesamin cannot be isolated. | Indirect |
| Atefi M et al. 2022 | Randomized double-blind controlled trial | 53 | Isfahan University of Medical Sciences | ALT, AST, ALP, and ultrasound fatty liver grade | Sesame oil at 30 g/day with a hypocaloric diet improved ALT, AST, and fatty liver grade versus sunflower oil; this was not a trial of sesamin alone. | Indirect |
| Mohammad Shahi M et al. 2017 | Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial | 48 | Unknown | Fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin, inflammatory markers, and adiponectin | Sesamin at 200 mg/day improved some glycemic and inflammatory markers, but liver fat and liver enzymes were not efficacy endpoints. | Scope-defining |
| Tomimori N et al. 2013 | Single-blind placebo-controlled repeated-dose pharmacokinetic and safety trial | 48 | Investigators affiliated with Suntory | Pharmacokinetics, tolerability, and adverse events | Sesamin and episesamin at 50 mg/day for 28 days showed no accumulation or serious adverse events. | Safety |
Receipt — 5 References
All 5 cited sources were verified for existence at the original page (as of 2026-07-11).
Reviewed and approved: Chamgap Editorial Team · Approval date: 2026-07-11 · Corrections: none
Cite this verdict
[Chamgap] Sesamin (sesame lignan) x lipids and blood pressure, and fatty liver and liver enzymes — Evidence Grade C·44. 5 cited sources checked. Source: https://health-receipt.pages.dev/en/verdicts/liver/sesamin-fatty-liver-enzymes/ · CC BY 4.0CC BY 4.0 — free to use with attribution; do not distort grades, numbers, or verdict meaning.
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