People with fatty liver have less of a helpful hormone called adiponectin, which normally helps burn fat and improve insulin sensitivity—so low levels may make their liver disease worse.

In overweight adults with fatty liver disease, the more fat there is in the liver, the more sugar the liver tends to make, and this link is pretty strong even when considering other factors like body size.

Kids with higher levels of a natural body protein called adiponectin tend to handle sugar better, even if they’re overweight.

Obese kids with lower levels of a hormone called adiponectin tend to have worse insulin resistance, even if they have the same amount of body fat as other kids.

When overweight people with fatty liver disease eat fewer carbs and calories, they lose weight and belly fat, but their body's ability to handle sugar doesn't really change.

For overweight people with a fatty liver condition not caused by alcohol, eating fewer carbs and calories might lower some fat levels in their blood, but it doesn't seem to change other cholesterol or sugar levels much, according to a small study.