The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if daily supplementation with Low-methoxy (LM) pectin (polysaccharides extracted from citrus peels), which are commonly found in the UK diet (not pharmacological agents), can reduce systemic inflammation and improve gut microbiota composition in adults recently diagnosed with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). The main question it aims to answer is:
-How does dietary Low-methoxy (LM) pectin supplementation affect systematic inflammation pathways such as those mediated by gut microbiota composition and what are the impacts on general metabolic indicators in individuals with MASLD?
Researchers will compare a group taking 15g of LM-pectin with 10g of cocoa powder to a placebo group receiving 10g of placebo with 10g of cocoa powder to see if LM-pectin has measurable effects on inflammation and gut microbiota.
Participants will:
* Take a daily supplement for 6 weeks: either 15g of LM-pectin with 10g of cocoa powder (intervention), or 10g of placebo with 10g of cocoa powder (control)
* Provide stool and fasting blood samples before and after the intervention
* Undergo anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist/hip ratio, and blood pressure)
* Complete a case report form (CRF) including demographics and health/medical history
* Undergo a FibroScan™ to assess liver health
* (Optional) Participate in MRI scans to evaluate gut permeability