Many diets focus on the reduction of carbohydrate intake as a means to lose weight. Many people believe carbs are the enemy when it comes to weight loss, but we do need some carbs to stay healthy. The important part is finding that perfect balance between not overdoing it and eating the right amount of carbs.
Cutting back on carbs won’t only help you lose weight, though. New research findings suggest it should be recommended for those with fatty liver disease as a means of improving treatment.
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Non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming more prevalent and outnumbering cases of alcoholic fatty liver disease. In NAFLD, fat accumulates in and around the liver, causing disease and malfunction. Nearly 30 to 40 percent of Americans have NAFLD, which obesity and type 2 diabetes are primary causes of. Reducing your intake of fatty foods and foods that contribute to fat is one way you can reduce your risk.
The latest research findings suggest cutting back on carbohydrates could be an effective treatment strategy for NAFLD.
The study looked at 10 adults who were obese and had NAFLD. Over the course of two weeks, the participants were put on a diet that cut back their carbohydrate intake and increased their protein. The researchers found the diet improved liver fat metabolism, which led to a dramatic decrease of fat in the liver.
The low-carb diet also reduced inflammation markers, which are linked with NAFLD severity. Lastly, gut microbiota changes occurred, which increased circulation of folate.
The researchers are hopeful that changing one’s diet to reduce carbohydrates could help improve NAFLD treatment, but they do caution that NAFLD treatment is not one-size-fits-all approach so results may vary from patient to patient.
Related: Simple diet plan to overcome fatty liver disease: Foods to eat and avoid
