Energy balance
A 28-day low-calorie diet (800–1100 kcal/day) induces a linear reduction in hepatic fat content and rapid, time-dependent improvements in hepatic insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism in obese women.
For obese women, a strict 28-day low-calorie diet (800-1100 kcal) significantly reduces liver fat by over 50% and rapidly improves insulin sensitivity within the first week. While metabolic markers like ketones and liver enzymes (ALT) may rise temporarily due to increased fat burning, this is part of the adaptive process. The key is sustained caloric restriction, which yields linear liver fat loss and metabolic health gains.
Energy restriction consistently reduced liver fat content in a linear fashion, but induced pronounced and opposite alterations in fasting insulin and FGF-21 already after 3 days, suggesting rapid improvement of insulin resistance.
Why this rating
Small sample size (n=10) and single-arm design limit generalizability, though MRI validation is robust.
Source
Energy restriction in obese women suggest linear reduction of hepatic fat content and time-dependent metabolic improvements
Hans-Erik Johansson et al. · Nutrition and Diabetes · 2019
DOI 10.1038/s41387-019-0100-2
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