New study: Can low carb help reverse a fatty liver?

February 19 by in Liver disease, Low carb & high fat

Can low carb help reverse a fatty liver?

A team of Swedish researchers just published a new study in the peer-reviewed journal Cell Metabolism. Obese subjects suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) followed a low-carbohydrate diet without restricting calories.

Lead author Jan Boren of the University of Gotheburg reported some fantastic effects of carbohydrate restriction on liver fat:

We observed rapid and dramatic reductions of liver fat and other cardiometabolic risk factors and revealed hitherto unknown underlying molecular mechanisms.

Another benefit of following a low-carbohydrate diet, supported by science. Read the full article here:

Cell Metabolism: An integrated understanding of the rapid metabolic benefits of a carbohydrate-restricted diet on hepatic steatosis in humans

Low-carb basics

Keto for beginners: Introduction
08:02
Learn how to do a keto diet right, in part 1 of our video course.
How to stay low carb on a budget
02:36
Do you want to know how to stay low carb on a budget? Kim Gajraj interviews Dr. Eric Westman to get all of his best tips on how to keep costs low when on a low-carb diet.
My success story with Kenneth Russell
02:52
When Kenneth turned 50, he realized that he wouldn't make it to 60 the way he was going.
The 5 common mistakes on LCHF
09:25
Is it hard to reach your goal weight, are you hungry or do you feel bad? Make sure you're avoiding these mistakes.
Cereal Killers
1:00:07
What if you could – in fact – break records without eating massive amounts of carbs?
How to eat LCHF
11:18
Dr. Eenfeldt on what you need to know to start eating a low-carb, high-fat diet.
What is the Main Benefit of Low Carb?
02:52
What exactly is the greatest benefit of low carb? Doctors give their top answer.
How to formulate a low-carb keto diet
48:32
Low-carb pioneer Dr. Eric Westman talks about how to formulate an LCHF diet, low carb for different medical conditions and common pitfalls among others.
Everything in moderation?
05:44
What’s the point of low carb, shouldn’t we all just try to eat everything in moderation? Top low-carb doctors answer this question.
A global food revolution
34:30
The mistakes behind the obesity epidemic and how we can fix them together, empowering people everywhere to revolutionize their health.
Living low carb with Caroline Smale
07:30
Caroline Smale shares her low-carb story and how she lives low carb on a daily basis.
The cause of obesity
38:45
What is the real cause of obesity? What causes weight gain? Dr. Jason Fung at Low Carb Vail 2016.
My Big Fat Diet
42:31
What would happen if an entire town of First Nation people went back to eating the way they used to? A high-fat low-carb diet based on real food?
Carb-Loaded
1:14:40
This may be the best (and funniest) low-carb movie ever. At least it's a strong contender.
"I sort of wanted to save the world"
22:22
How can you give back to the low-carb community after achieving great results on the diet? Bitte Kempe-Björkman explains.
Are there potential dangers with a low-carb diet?
09:30
Can a low-carb diet potentially be dangerous? And if so – how? Top low-carb doctors answer these questions.
Why is Low Carb Important to You?
04:16
Why is low carb important to Dr. Rangan Chatterjee and Dr. Sarah Hallberg?
The latest science behind a keto diet
13:17
What is the current science in support of a low-carb and keto diet?

Weight loss

How to maximize fat burning
03:52
Dr. Fung's fasting course part 2: How do you maximize fat burning? What should you eat – or not eat?
How IRONMAN athlete Chris Holley lost 200 lbs
04:57
Meet Chris Holley and get to know all about his experiences as an IRONMAN athlete on a low-carb/keto diet.
My success story with Kenneth Russell
02:52
When Kenneth turned 50, he realized that he wouldn't make it to 60 the way he was going.
Isn't weight loss all about counting calories?
03:14
To lose weight, you just eat fewer calories than you burn. Is it really that simple? Top low-carb doctors answer.
The 5 common mistakes on LCHF
09:25
Is it hard to reach your goal weight, are you hungry or do you feel bad? Make sure you're avoiding these mistakes.
Cindy lost 80 pounds on keto
02:30
Cindy Miller and her family have transformed their health by following a low-carb diet.
Kristie cooking keto with Dr. Georgia Ede
27:09
Kristie invites Dr. Georgia Ede into the kitchen, and has prepared a delicious recipe with consideration to Georgia's food allergies and sensitivities.
How to formulate a low-carb keto diet
48:32
Low-carb pioneer Dr. Eric Westman talks about how to formulate an LCHF diet, low carb for different medical conditions and common pitfalls among others.
"I'll do this or I'm going to die trying"
19:23
Kristie Sullivan struggled with her weight for her whole life in spite of trying every diet imaginable, but then she finally lost a 120 pounds and improved her health on a keto diet.
Too much protein is better than too little
40:13
Is increasing protein intake on low carb a good or bad idea idea in terms of weight and health – and why? Dr. Naiman explains.
Therapeutic fasting
46:09
What if there was a more effective treatment alternative for obesity and type 2 diabetes, that is both simple and free?
A global food revolution
34:30
The mistakes behind the obesity epidemic and how we can fix them together, empowering people everywhere to revolutionize their health.
The cause of obesity
38:45
What is the real cause of obesity? What causes weight gain? Dr. Jason Fung at Low Carb Vail 2016.
The Pathways of Insulin Resistance
30:41
Are we chasing the wrong guy when it comes to heart disease? And if so, what is the real culprit in the disease?
The perfect treatment for diabetes and weight loss
45:20
Do doctors treat type 2 diabetes completely wrong today – in a way that actually makes the disease worse?
My Big Fat Diet
42:31
What would happen if an entire town of First Nation people went back to eating the way they used to? A high-fat low-carb diet based on real food?
How to make keto sustainable
15:00
How can you make the transition to a low-carb or keto diet as smooth as possible?
My success story with Jim Caldwell
02:23
Jim Caldwell has transformed his health and gone from an all-time high at 352 lbs (160 kg) to 170 lbs (77 kg.

Low carb for beginners

Fatty liver disease fastest-growing reason for transplants in young U.S. adults

How fat is your liver?

23 comments

Top comments

Christine
February 19 13
Yes, yes -absolutely. My abdominal ultrasound revealed no more fatty liver after one year Keto and losing 100 lbs.

Replies: #4, #7

Read more →
Candi
February 20 6
Get a new doctor who has read up on this.

Read more →

All comments

1
Christine
February 19 13
Yes, yes -absolutely. My abdominal ultrasound revealed no more fatty liver after one year Keto and losing 100 lbs.

Replies: #4, #7
2
Pam Smith
February 19 1
I was diagnosed with NAFLD several years ago but has now progressed to cirrhosis. I am not nor have I ever been more than one stone overweight and am now in normal weight parameters. I am also T2 diabetic. I would like to use Keto diet but would I need to adapt if to suit my medical needs.

Reply: #5
3
Deahn Benware
February 19 1
Just do it! Your diabetes will slowly disappear.
4
Reply to comment #1 by Christine
Michelle
February 20
That’s fantastic Christine!
5
Reply to comment #2 by Pam Smith
Sarah
February 20
I have been doing KETO diet for 3 weeks, I have lost 15 pounds so far. I know some or most is probably water weight but it's in the right direction. It is helping my type 2 stay in manageable levels as you cut most if not all of your carbs out. There are groups on Facebook that are other diabetics that follow the diet. Good luck!
6
Phyllis
February 20
Keto is pure fat loss. Bravo for you!
7
Reply to comment #1 by Christine
Misty Andersen
February 20
Hello! Do you still have gallbladder?

Yes, yes -absolutely. My abdominal ultrasound revealed no more fatty liver after one year Keto and losing 100 lbs.
8
HM Leblanc
February 20
Recent ly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I have a fatty liver so I want to eat only 20 carbs a day but my doctor is saying I have to eat 45-60 grams per meal!! I have yet to follow the advice but my sugars are high upon waking and I'm wondering if that's due to eating no carbs at dinner
9
Candi
February 20 6
Get a new doctor who has read up on this.
10
Nick
February 20 1
If your morning blood sugar is high it is due to high protein intake before bed time. Not eating before bed does not help either but very small amount of protein food with more vegitable will gradually helps. I am Type 2 and on keto but wondering why my morning blood sugar is high but eventually when i reduce protein intake after lunch it reduces to 94. So after lunch reduce your protein by 80% and take more vegetable and also low carb snack like macademia nuts will help.
11
Tennis nut
February 20
Omg... You need a new doctor... Most diabetes have elevated sugar in the morning. Has nothing to do with consumption of sugar. Your body organs produce sugar while u sleep

Reply: #14
12
Bruce Witte
February 20
Finally documented research on positive Keto effects!!! Will the mainstream medical community ever promote Keto WOL???
13
Margaret Robinson
February 20 1
I have T2D I started the Ketos diet one month ago. I took myself off off of insulin. I have lost 17 lbs and my morning Blood sugar has been below 130 today it was 117. It hasn't been that low in years. I go to my Dr. On Monday excited to see what my A1C is going to be and my liver count. I feel alot better. Thought I would share my personal results.
14
Reply to comment #11 by Tennis nut
Kathleen
February 20
Sorry, I accidentally reported comment. Didn't know how to undo it.
15
Paula
February 20
I am a type 2 also, last A1c was 5.9, lowest I have ever been in 15 yrs since being diagnosed. I have not lost the weight, only 10 pounds in 3 months. Any suggestions?
16
Scott
February 20 1
I'm 57 had PreD....and I started Keto in late Dec2017 and now have lost 15 pounds plus,my question is I would like to grow muscle mass in the gym,but I keep on losing:)) any help.
I use to be a body builder I went from 208 to 186.

Reply: #20
17
Lisa
February 21 1
I had a CT scan and the reduction in fat in my liver was significant enough for the CT report to state significant improvement in fatty liver. I was so excited to see the result of the change.
18
JohnE
February 21
I am T2. On Jan 2 this year, my A1C was 8.2%. Have been on max dose of metformin and glipizide for years and occasional forays into expensive meds like byetta or victoza. Next step was probably insulin. Started Keto on Jan 5. Checking bg about 4/day. Sugr app calculates A1C at 5.9% now. Have also cut meds in half. Seeing doc again next month. Anxious to see what happens to lab blood results especially cholesterol and triglycerides.
19
Juan Mendez
February 21 1
I am a pre-diabetic and started doing Intermittent fasting and Keto in January. I have lost 31 lbs and my glucose has gone from the 140-150 to 89 this morning. Keto and IF is the way to go.
20
Reply to comment #16 by Scott
Scott
February 21
I pressed the report triangle on my own post by mistake.
21
Elbert
February 22
Salt trick works great, Now I not Poo, Please? Thank you
22
Naty
March 11
Hi. I have fatty liver and insulin resistant (pre-diabetes). My Doc said to eat low fat to lose weight and also to do exercise.
I am new to all of this. Have read that what is better to do is to do lower carb like 100 grams a day of low glycemic load foods and eat lower fat diet. Am i going on the right track?
Would appreciate anyones suggestions on what to eat to lose the weight for both insulin resistance and fatty liver.
Im all confused.
Thanks
23
Fasting Filly
August 23
Fatty liver is from sugar and starchy carbs. Eat good healthy fats and moderate protein and veggies that have low sugar content. Stay away from grains. Adopt intermittent fasting.