title: The effect of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a pilot study.
abstract: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an increasingly common condition that may progress to hepatic cirrhosis. This pilot study evaluated the effects of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet on obesity-associated fatty liver disease. Five patients with a mean body mass index of 36.4 kg/m(2) and biopsy evidence of fatty liver disease were instructed to follow the diet (<20 g/d of carbohydrate) with nutritional supplementation for 6 months. Patients returned for group meetings biweekly for 3 months, then monthly for the second 3 months. The mean weight change was -12.8 kg (range 0 to -25.9 kg). Four of 5 posttreatment liver biopsies showed histologic improvements in steatosis (P=.02) inflammatory grade (P=.02), and fibrosis (P=.07). Six months of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet led to significant weight loss and histologic improvement of fatty liver disease. Further research is into this approach is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tendler
authors.forename: Sauyu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Yancy
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mavropoulos
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sylvestre
authors.forename: Don C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Rockey
authors.forename: Eric C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Westman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007657:Ketone Bodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007659:Ketones / Q000652:urine; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D007657:Ketone Bodies; D007659:Ketones