Ketogenic diet shows superior liver fat reduction in clinical trial

A randomized clinical trial conducted by researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine found that while various diets can promote weight loss, the ketogenic diet may offer superior metabolic benefits for certain markers. The study, published in Cell Metabolism, followed 42 participants with obesity, prediabetes, and fatty liver disease over several months.

All three tested dietary approaches—ketogenic, Mediterranean, and a low-fat plant-forward diet—resulted in an approximately 10% reduction in total body weight and a 50% increase in muscle insulin sensitivity. However, the ketogenic group, which consumed 73% of calories from fat and only 4% from carbohydrates, showed significantly greater reductions in liver fat, which fell by an average of 67% compared to a 45% reduction in the other two groups.

Additionally, the ketogenic diet was associated with improved blood sugar regulation, including greater reductions in HbA1c and daily glucose exposure. Researchers noted that these findings suggest diet composition may influence metabolic health beyond the simple effects of weight loss alone, though they cautioned that the small scale and short duration of the trial mean long-term sustainability and effects are not yet established.