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

February 19 2018 by , medical review by in Liver disease, Low carb & high fat
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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

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44 comments

  1. 1
    Christine
    February 19 2018
    Yes, yes -absolutely. My abdominal ultrasound revealed no more fatty liver after one year Keto and losing 100 lbs.
    Replies: #4, #7, #38
  2. 2
    Pam Smith
    February 19 2018
    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. 3
    Deahn Benware
    February 19 2018
    Just do it! Your diabetes will slowly disappear.
  4. 4
    Reply to comment #1 by Christine
    Michelle
    February 20 2018
    That’s fantastic Christine!
  5. 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. 6
    Phyllis
    February 20 2018
    Keto is pure fat loss. Bravo for you!
  7. 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. 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. 9
    Candi
    February 20 2018
    Get a new doctor who has read up on this.
  10. 10
    Nick
    February 20 2018
    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. 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. 12
    Bruce Witte
    February 20 2018
    Finally documented research on positive Keto effects!!! Will the mainstream medical community ever promote Keto WOL???
  13. 13
    Margaret Robinson
    February 20 2018
    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. 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. 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. 16
    Scott
    February 20 2018
    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. 17
    Lisa
    February 21 2018
    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. 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. 19
    Juan Mendez
    February 21 2018
    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. 20
    Reply to comment #16 by Scott
    Scott
    February 21 2018
    I pressed the report triangle on my own post by mistake.
  21. 21
    Elbert
    February 22 2018
    Salt trick works great, Now I not Poo, Please? Thank you
  22. 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. 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. 24
    Reply to comment #11 by Tennis nut
    Cat
    January 4 2019
    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. 25
    Reply to comment #24 by Cat
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    January 5 2019
    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. 26
    Cindy
    February 10 2019
    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. 27
    Reply to comment #26 by Cindy
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    February 11 2019

    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. 28
    Kathy
    April 24 2019
    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. 29
    Lisa
    June 22 2019
    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. 30
    Reply to comment #29 by Lisa
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    June 23 2019

    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. 31
    Lisa
    June 24 2019
    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.
  32. 32
    Ritu
    April 22 2020
    Just started low carb diet for fatty liver. Hope it works.
    Reply: #37
  33. 33
    Linda
    April 30 2020
    Lovely to hear this. Can anyone tell me if keto helps with alcohol related liver disease? My daughter has been diagnosed with this and the dietician advised she came off keto. Told to eat at least 50g ofcarbs before she goes to bed as 'body needs energy overnight'. She was also told that her muscles need carbs. How can i help her please? Any advice appreciated as I'm really worried and scared for her.
    Reply: #34
  34. 34
    Reply to comment #33 by Linda
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    April 30 2020

    Lovely to hear this. Can anyone tell me if keto helps with alcohol related liver disease? My daughter has been diagnosed with this and the dietician advised she came off keto. Told to eat at least 50g ofcarbs before she goes to bed as 'body needs energy overnight'. She was also told that her muscles need carbs. How can i help her please? Any advice appreciated as I'm really worried and scared for her.

    I am sorry that your daughter is going through this. Going off alcohol and cutting the carbs will help heal the liver. If she is experiencing extreme liver damage, her doctor may have her on medication and it's important to work with the physician.

  35. 35
    Deborah
    June 18 2020
    I was just diagnosed with NASH will a keto diet benefit me?
    Reply: #36
  36. 36
    Reply to comment #35 by Deborah
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    June 18 2020

    I was just diagnosed with NASH will a keto diet benefit me?

    It may help NASH as well as NAFLD.

  37. 37
    Reply to comment #32 by Ritu
    siaifz
    June 26 2020
    How about your progress Ritu?
    I’m looking a ketogenic diet for my hubby, he is not even in proper weight ( can say underweighted for long since, but in good health) but reported NAFLD for the last 12 years, his stomach size is also very normal. Our lifestyle is also very much normal, trying to avoid junk and fried food, used to cook with olive oil. So my problem is how I can measure calories or menus because my hubby needs to reduce fat from lever but he should not loose weight at all. Also his metabolism is very good, what he intakes can digest quickly that is he feels hungry in regular intervals.
    Sorry for my big note, can you please share your experience?
    Reply: #39
  38. 38
    Reply to comment #1 by Christine
    Kimberly
    June 28 2020
    Thanks for sharing!!!
  39. 39
    Reply to comment #37 by siaifz
    TJ
    July 5 2020
    You must eliminate flour, rice, tapioca, potato, bananas, sugar, and fruit juice from diet. White flour, wheat flour, brown rice, white rice are all bad. Eat only vegetables and low fat meat like chicken breast. Also exercise 30 mins every day. If you follow strictly, fatty liver will be gone in 6 months. I am from India, and I fully removed roti, rice, juice, starchy potato and tapioca from my diet.
  40. 40
    JRS
    August 8 2020
    How about a carb count of only 150 grams? I had been on keto before and I think it raised my liver enzymes.
  41. 1 comment removed
  42. 42
    Nimi
    March 13 2021
    Can you eat dairy for a fatty liver diet? Or does this have to be in moderation?
    Reply: #43
  43. 43
    Reply to comment #42 by Nimi
    Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor
    March 13 2021

    Can you eat dairy for a fatty liver diet? Or does this have to be in moderation?

    Hi, Nimi! Most people have no issue incorporating dairy. This article may be helpful! https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/guides/fatty-liver-disease

  44. 44
    Debora Bouknight
    January 26
    DDB
    Had a altrasound done for gallbladder. Found out it was fatty liver. I was told to diet and exercise. T2D. They told me to try the Mediterranean diet. Which one is best. Keto or Mediterranean?
    Reply: #45
  45. 45
    Reply to comment #44 by Debora Bouknight
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    January 26

    DDB
    Had a altrasound done for gallbladder. Found out it was fatty liver. I was told to diet and exercise. T2D. They told me to try the Mediterranean diet. Which one is best. Keto or Mediterranean?

    The two are not mutually exclusive! You can read more in this guide.
    https://www.dietdoctor.com/mediterranean-diet

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