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

February 19 2018 by , medical review 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.
Cereal Killers
1:00:07
What if you could – in fact – break records without eating massive amounts of carbs?
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.
Saving lives and healthcare dollars
30:52
In the world of life insurance, could low carb help save both lives and money?
7 tips to make low carb simple
09:41
The star of the BBC series Doctor in the House, Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, gives you seven tips that will make low carb easy.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
How to do an LCHF or keto diet
1:00:45
Dr. Eric Westman explains how to do a well-formulated LCHF diet.
Diet Doctor Podcast #28 – Amy Berger
54:29
Amy Berger has a no nonsense, practical approach that helps people see how they can get the benefits from keto without all the struggles.
Q&A with Franziska Spritzler
09:52
Questions about how to formulate an optimal low-carb or keto diet.
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.
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.
What is the main benefit of low carb?
02:52
What exactly is the greatest benefit of low carb? Doctors give their top answer.

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?
"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.
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.
Pie-making champion goes low carb
03:23
Learn how this pie-making champion went low carb and how it changed his life.
How to make keto sustainable
15:00
How can you make the transition to a low-carb or keto diet as smooth as possible?
How to motivate your patients
50:25
In this presentation from Low Carb Denver 2019, Drs. David and Jen Unwin explain how physicians can finetune the art of practicing medicine with strategies from psychology to help their patients reach their goals.
Will a low carb diet shorten your life?
30:57
In this highly insightful presentation from Low Carb Denver 2019, Robb Wolf takes us through studies which can help us better understand weight loss, food addiction and health on a low-carb diet.
How to think about how to eat — Gary Taubes
30:34
In this presentation from the Low Carb Denver conference, the amazing Gary Taubes talks about the conflicting dietary advice we are given and what to make of it all.
Part 8 of Dr. Jason Fung's diabetes course
05:21
Dr. Fung gives us an in-depth explanation of how beta cell failure happens, what the root cause is, and what you can do to treat it.
My success story with Chuck Hicks
02:39
At nearly 500 lbs (230 kg) Chuck could barely move at all anymore. It wasn’t until he found a keto diet that thing started to change.
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.
What's it like being a low-carb doctor on TV?
17:40
What’s it like working with patients and giving controversial low-carb advice in front of a TV audience?
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?
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.
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.
What to do instead of counting calories
16:02
Why is counting calories useless? And what should you do instead to lose weight?
Insulin toxicity — Dr. Jason Fung's diabetes course
09:03
Dr. Fung looks at the evidence on what high levels of insulin can do to one’s health and what can be done to lower insulin naturally.
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?

Low carb for beginners

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

How fat is your liver?

31 comments

Top comments

Christine
February 19 2018 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 2018 6
Get a new doctor who has read up on this.

Read more →

All comments

1
Christine
February 19 2018 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 2018 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 2018 1
Just do it! Your diabetes will slowly disappear.
4
Reply to comment #1 by Christine
Michelle
February 20 2018
That’s fantastic Christine!
5
Reply to comment #2 by Pam Smith
Sarah
February 20 2018
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 2018
Keto is pure fat loss. Bravo for you!
7
Reply to comment #1 by Christine
Misty Andersen
February 20 2018
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 2018
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 2018 6
Get a new doctor who has read up on this.
10
Nick
February 20 2018 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 2018
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

Replies: #14, #24
12
Bruce Witte
February 20 2018
Finally documented research on positive Keto effects!!! Will the mainstream medical community ever promote Keto WOL???
13
Margaret Robinson
February 20 2018 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 2018
Sorry, I accidentally reported comment. Didn't know how to undo it.
15
Paula
February 20 2018
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 2018 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 2018 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 2018
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 2018 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 2018
I pressed the report triangle on my own post by mistake.
21
Elbert
February 22 2018
Salt trick works great, Now I not Poo, Please? Thank you
22
Naty
March 11 2018
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 2018
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.
24
Reply to comment #11 by Tennis nut
Cat
January 4
Are you serious? Your body does Nit produce sugar while you sleep. You are nuts and need to step back. Talk with an endocrinologist before you come back with that garbage talk

Reply: #25
25
Reply to comment #24 by Cat
Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
January 5
Yes, the liver actually dumps stored sugar in preparation for waking up. This is mostly a concern for diabetics and is called the Dawn Phenomenon. You can read more about it here - https://www.dietdoctor.com/the-dawn-phenomenon-t2d-8
26
Cindy
February 10
Mom has NASH bought the ATKINS protein plus fiber shakes and stumbled across this site, does anyone have any experience with ATKINS and NASH? She is also diabetic, Has the Keto diet helped anyone with NASH and or fatty liver disease?

Reply: #27
27
Reply to comment #26 by Cindy
Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
February 11

Mom has NASH bought the ATKINS protein plus fiber shakes and stumbled across this site, does anyone have any experience with ATKINS and NASH? She is also diabetic, Has the Keto diet helped anyone with NASH and or fatty liver disease?

Many doctors are treating both fatty liver and diabetes with keto/low carb diets. The ingredients in the protein/fiber shakes are not great. You can sign up for our free two week challenge with recipes and meal plans here - https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/get-started
28
Kathy
April 24
I have just been diagnosed with fatty liver disease. Also need a biopsy done to check for gluten intolerent. I love to eat but my stomach has been hurting for over a year now. I plan to loose weight, exercise more, drink lots of water.
29
Lisa
June 22
I hear low carb is good for fatty liver but Is it also good for cirrhosis? Is ketosis ok for someone with cirrhosis since ketones are produced by the liver, or should it just be low carb? Also I read that a person with cirrhosis shouldn’t have red meat or saturated fat do you know if or why this is true? So then “if “keto is ok, do we do it with added fats like olive oil and proteins like chicken and fish and stay away from red meats altogether ?(I do not understand why the red meat/saturated fat is an issue for the liver) thanks for any insight.

Reply: #30
30
Reply to comment #29 by Lisa
Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
June 23

I hear low carb is good for fatty liver but Is it also good for cirrhosis? Is ketosis ok for someone with cirrhosis since ketones are produced by the liver, or should it just be low carb? Also I read that a person with cirrhosis shouldn’t have red meat or saturated fat do you know if or why this is true? So then “if “keto is ok, do we do it with added fats like olive oil and proteins like chicken and fish and stay away from red meats altogether ?(I do not understand why the red meat/saturated fat is an issue for the liver) thanks for any insight.

I am not aware of any research showing that a ketogenic diet would be contraindicated with cirrhosis or any modifications that would need to be made. It may be important to discuss this dietary change with your doctor before beginning.
31
Lisa
June 24
Thank you for your response. We have already asked his doctor if there was any special diet that would be helpful or necessary for cirrhosis and he said no and that he could basically eat whatever he wanted! While I didn’t find that answer to be helpful it did leave the door wide open to go low carb /keto and see how he does with it.