Ketogenic diet linked to significant liver fat reduction

A randomized clinical trial published in Cell Metabolism suggests that a ketogenic diet may offer metabolic benefits for liver health and blood glucose control that exceed those of other weight-loss diets. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, compared three dietary approaches among adults with obesity, prediabetes, and excess liver fat: a low-carb ketogenic diet, a Mediterranean diet, and a low-fat, plant-forward diet.

While all three groups achieved approximately 10% weight loss and saw a 50% improvement in muscle insulin sensitivity, the ketogenic group showed significantly greater improvements in liver health. Participants on the ketogenic diet experienced a roughly 67% reduction in liver fat, compared to a 45% reduction in the other two groups. Additionally, liver insulin sensitivity improved two to three times more in the ketogenic group.

The diet also had a notable impact on prediabetes. Approximately 50% of the ketogenic group no longer met the criteria for prediabetes by the end of the trial, whereas 29% of the Mediterranean group and only 7% of the low-fat group achieved similar results. Researchers noted that the composition of the diet may influence metabolic outcomes independently of total weight loss.