The ketogenic diet has been gaining traction in recent years as an effective way to lose weight and improve glycemic control. But what about its effects on the liver? Recent studies have shown that a low-carb or keto diet can lead to dramatic loss of liver fat and potentially reverse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A ketogenic diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that can induce weight loss and improved glycemic control. But could a diet high in fat produce fatty liver? The answer is no.
In fact, evidence suggests that low-carb diets may be more effective than low-fat diets in reducing fatty liver. Studies have shown that high-fat ketogenic diets had a greater and faster impact on liver fat content than just restricting carbohydrates. The good news is that the ketogenic diet can not only help you lose weight, but it can also help prevent fatty liver disease and reverse fatty liver damage. A ketogenic diet for 6 days markedly decreased hepatic fat content and hepatic insulin resistance.
These changes were associated with increased net hydrolysis of hepatic triglycerides and decreased endogenous glucose production and concentrations. To keep your liver healthy, it's important to follow a diet low in carbohydrates and high in exercise at least three times a week. The time to start is now, so you can start living a better and healthier life.
