Keto diet cuts liver fat by 67% in new prediabetes study, research finds

Key Points:

• A new study published in Cell Metabolism found that a ketogenic diet significantly improved liver health in adults with obesity, prediabetes, and excess liver fat, outperforming Mediterranean and low-fat diets in reducing liver fat and improving liver insulin sensitivity.
• Participants on the keto diet saw a roughly 67% decrease in liver fat and a two to three times greater improvement in liver insulin sensitivity compared to other diet groups, with about 50% no longer meeting prediabetes criteria by the trial's end.
• While all diets improved muscle insulin sensitivity by about 50%, the keto diet also led to better glucose and insulin measures, linked to decreased liver fat production and increased fat burning.
• Registered dietitian Ilana Muhlstein noted that the study highlights how macronutrient composition affects metabolic health beyond calorie reduction, recommending lower carbohydrate intake for those with fatty liver but cautioning against long-term keto due to potential heart health risks.
• The study's small sample size and short duration limit broad applicability, but findings suggest the keto diet may be a beneficial short-term option for improving liver health and prediabetes in certain individuals.