Low-carb diet helps liver but not pancreas in diabetes
A secondary analysis of indices of hepatic and beta cell function following 12 weeks of carbohydrate and energy restriction vs. free-living control in adults with type 2 diabetes
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Eating very few carbs and calories for 12 weeks helped people with diabetes and obesity have less fat in their liver, better blood sugar control, and improved liver health, but did not help their pancreas work better.
Surprising Findings
No improvement in beta-cell function despite significant liver and blood sugar benefits.
Contradicts the common belief that weight loss diets uniformly improve all aspects of diabetes pathophysiology, including pancreatic health.
Practical Takeaways
Consider a short-term low-carb, low-calorie diet under medical supervision to improve liver health and blood sugar if you have type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Eating very few carbs and calories for 12 weeks helped people with diabetes and obesity have less fat in their liver, better blood sugar control, and improved liver health, but did not help their pancreas work better.
Surprising Findings
No improvement in beta-cell function despite significant liver and blood sugar benefits.
Contradicts the common belief that weight loss diets uniformly improve all aspects of diabetes pathophysiology, including pancreatic health.
Practical Takeaways
Consider a short-term low-carb, low-calorie diet under medical supervision to improve liver health and blood sugar if you have type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Publication
Journal
Nutrition & Metabolism
Year
2024
Authors
Cody Durrer, Hashim Islam, H. Cen, M. Garzon, Xuchao Lyu, Sean McKelvey, J. Singer, A. Batterham, Jonathan Z. Long, James D Johnson, Jonathan P Little
Related Content
Claims (7)
A special low-carb diet for 12 weeks helps overweight people with diabetes lose fat from their liver, making their liver healthier.
When people with type 2 diabetes and obesity follow a low-carb diet for 12 weeks, it lowers a specific protein in their blood that's linked to better health.
When overweight adults with type 2 diabetes tried a low-carb diet for 12 weeks, it didn't seem to help their pancreas work better or reduce stress on their insulin-producing cells.
When people with type 2 diabetes and obesity follow a low-carb diet for 12 weeks, it changes certain blood chemicals that are linked to liver problems, which helps improve how their liver works.
Eating a low-carb diet for 12 weeks helps people with type 2 diabetes and obesity improve how their liver responds to insulin, making it work better without needing to change their medications.