Found a way to reduce liver fat by a third without drugs

A low-fat, plant-based diet may reduce liver fat accumulation by 33 percent and improve insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes. This conclusion was reached by scientists whose study was published in the journal BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.

In a clinical study, participants with type 2 diabetes followed a low-fat vegan diet for 16 weeks. The basis of the diet was vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains. At the same time, volunteers were allowed to eat to their fill without counting calories or limiting portion sizes.

The results showed that liver fat content decreased by an average of 33 percent. Participants also lost about six kilograms, or 6.6 percent of their original body weight. At the same time, the amount of visceral fat, which accumulates around the internal organs, has decreased.

In addition, the volunteers improved insulin sensitivity and the functioning of the beta cells of the pancreas, which are responsible for its production. Glycated hemoglobin levels, which measure the average concentration of sugar in the blood over several months, fell by one percentage point.

The researchers also found a decrease in total and bad cholesterol. Additionally, the accumulation of advanced glycation end products, substances that can damage cells and contribute to the development of insulin resistance, was reduced.

The authors believe that dietary changes may be an effective adjunct to the treatment of type 2 diabetes.