A low-carbohydrate, high-fat ketogenic diet may be more effective than the Mediterranean or low-fat diets in helping individuals achieve remission from type 2 diabetes, according to new research. The study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, also found that this dietary approach significantly improved markers of liver and metabolic health.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine tracked 42 participants who had obesity, prediabetes, and fatty liver disease. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three meal plans: a ketogenic diet (73% fat, 4% carbohydrates), a Mediterranean diet, or a low-fat diet (70% carbohydrates). All participants received prepared meals and met weekly with a dietitian.
After four to five months, all groups achieved an average weight loss of 10% of their starting body weight. However, the ketogenic diet group experienced greater improvements in several key health indicators. Liver fat decreased by approximately 67% in the keto group, compared to 45% in the other two groups. Blood tests also showed the ketogenic diet led to the largest increase in glucagon, a hormone that aids the liver in burning fat.
Crucially, the study reported that about half of the participants on the ketogenic diet no longer met the criteria for diabetes after the intervention. This remission rate was significantly higher than that observed in the Mediterranean diet group (about one-third) and the low-fat group (7%).
Dr. Samuel Klein, the study's lead author, noted that reducing carbohydrate intake can yield metabolic benefits beyond weight loss alone for individuals with prediabetes. While all three diets led to significant improvements in blood sugar control, the ketogenic diet demonstrated a more pronounced effect on liver fat reduction and overall metabolic health.
Experts not involved in the study acknowledged the findings, emphasizing that meaningful weight loss is a primary driver of improved health outcomes. However, they also highlighted the ketogenic diet's specific benefits for liver metabolism, suggesting that diet composition can offer additional advantages beyond weight reduction alone.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to it, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Prediabetes, a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels, puts individuals at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Fatty liver disease, medically known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is a growing concern, affecting a significant portion of the adult population and increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.