Study Highlights Potential Keto Diet Benefits for Liver Health
A recent study has discovered that the ketogenic (keto) diet might offer unexpected advantages for those concerned about liver health. Published in the journal Cell Metabolism, the research involved 42 adults dealing with obesity, prediabetes, and excess liver fat.
In this clinical trial, participants were divided into three different weight-loss diet groups: a low-carb ketogenic diet, a Mediterranean diet, and a low-fat, predominantly plant-based diet.
The keto diet was unique, composed of around 4% carbohydrates and a whopping 73% fat. In contrast, the Mediterranean diet contained approximately 50% carbohydrates and 35% fat, while the low-fat diet had around 70% carbohydrates and only 15% fat.
All participants showed about a 50% improvement in muscle insulin sensitivity, which helps muscles absorb blood sugar more effectively.
Notably, those following the keto diet saw a significant decrease in liver fat—about 67%. This was much greater than the 45% reduction observed in those on the other diets. Participants on the keto plan also experienced a two to three times greater improvement in liver insulin sensitivity compared to the others.
Moreover, glucose and insulin levels showed more improvement in the keto group. By the end of the study, roughly 50% of the keto participants no longer fit the criteria for prediabetes, compared to 29% in the Mediterranean group and just 7% in the low-fat group.
However, the researchers cautioned that the short study duration and small sample size (about 14 people per group) limit the broader application of these findings.
The study’s authors suggest that the type of weight-loss diet consumed can impact metabolic outcomes beyond just weight loss itself. In conclusion, the keto diet appeared to deliver the most significant benefits for liver fat and insulin sensitivity in this small-scale trial.
Registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein commented on the significance of this study. She stressed that not all calories are the same, pointing out that the different macronutrients led to various health changes even when participants lost similar amounts of weight.
Although each group lost weight, the keto diet resulted in a more pronounced reduction in new fat production in the liver, accompanied by metabolic changes that favor fat burning.
Muhlstein advised those with fatty liver to consider shifting to a lower carbohydrate diet, as this may help the body utilize more stored fat for energy. Interestingly, participants on the keto diet did not exhibit higher cholesterol or blood fat levels during the trial.
She noted that this study could be particularly relevant for individuals with prediabetes or blood sugar irregularities; however, those at risk for heart disease should approach it cautiously.
In conclusion, while keto may be a worthwhile short-term strategy for some struggling with obesity or prediabetes—leading to more notable reductions in liver fat and prediabetes remission—Muhlstein recommends transitioning to a more balanced diet, like the Mediterranean diet, for long-term health benefits.
