Research

Hormonal

Decreases in FGF-21 levels during weight loss maintenance are associated with improvements in hepatic insulin sensitivity, suggesting a resolution of FGF-21 resistance.

Improving your liver's sensitivity to insulin is a key goal of weight loss. This study suggests that as your FGF-21 levels drop (which happens with weight loss, especially low-carb diets), your liver becomes more responsive to insulin. This is a positive metabolic adaptation.

GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Change in FGF-21 was inversely associated with change in hepatic IS [Beta = −0.565 units/log(ng/mL), P = 0.02]... These findings may elucidate relationships between dietary composition, insulin sensitivity and metabolism.
Bridget M. Hron et al. · Nutrition & Metabolism · 2017

Why this rating

Statistically significant association (P=0.02) in a controlled crossover trial, though causality is inferred.

Source

Hepatic, adipocyte, enteric and pancreatic hormones: response to dietary macronutrient composition and relationship with metabolism

Bridget M. Hron et al. · Nutrition & Metabolism · 2017

DOI 10.1186/s12986-017-0198-y

crossover · n=21Cited 15×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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