People with higher levels of liver fat may be more at risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to those with lower levels. New research presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) found that the amount of liver fat stored in the organ may be related to diabetes, regardless of their BMI.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease and occurs when the pancreas can’t make enough insulin or when the insulin it produces doesn’t work properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps turn sugar into energy.
Previous studies have found that intensive weight loss programs can put T2D into remission in people who are overweight. Researchers believe this is because of the excess fat in the liver, preventing insulin from working properly. Also, fat in the pancreas can stop the insulin-producing cells from working properly.
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This latest research from Newcastle University examined intra-organ fat in people of normal weight with type 2 diabetes. It also looked at how these levels changed after weight loss-induced remission.
Two BMI categories were used for the study. The first was made up of 56 participants who had an average BMI of 35.1, which is in the obese range, and an average age of 53. The second had 15 participants who had an average BMI of 24.3, which is in the normal range, and an average age of 58.
Both groups followed a weight management program designed for the remission of T2D through 10-15% weight loss. This consisted of all participants consuming 800 calories a day, followed by support in maintaining their new weight.
Scans were used to measure levels of fat in the pancreas and liver before and after weight loss.
It was found that compared to people without diabetes, those with T2D had higher fat levels in the liver and pancreas, regardless of their BMI. Liver fat fell dramatically in the obese group following the weight loss program, from an average of 16% to 3%. In the normal-weight group, the liver fat decreased from 4.7% to 1.4%.
Pancreatic fat was also noted as falling from 8.5% to 7.6% in the obese participants and from 5% to 4.5% in the normal BMI group.
Remission of Type 2 Diabetes
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Overall, 60% of the obese participants achieved remission of type 2 diabetes, and 67% of the normal BMI group saw remission. Remission was defined as having average blood sugar and being off all medications.
The author of the study, Roy Taylor, concluded by saying, “It clear that if an individual has type 2 diabetes, they have more fat inside their body than they can cope with, even if they seem to be slim.”
“These results also show that levels of liver fat vary with weight and that levels currently considered to be healthy can actually be harmful in lighter people.”
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
