Hormonal
Moderate weight reduction (approx. 8 kg or 8% body weight) via a very-low-fat, hypocaloric diet reverses hepatic steatosis and hepatic insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes, thereby normalizing fasting hyperglycemia and basal glucose production.
If you have type 2 diabetes, you do not need to reach a 'normal' body weight to fix your blood sugar. A modest weight loss of about 8 kg (roughly 8% of your body weight) achieved through a very-low-fat, hypocaloric diet (around 1,200 calories/day) can significantly reduce fat in your liver. This reduction in liver fat reverses liver insulin resistance and normalizes your fasting blood glucose levels, even if your overall body weight or muscle fat doesn't change drastically. This is a psychologically achievable goal compared to aiming for a 'normal' BMI.
A weight loss of ~8 kg resulted in normalization of fasting plasma glucose concentrations... rates of basal glucose production... These improvements in basal and insulin-stimulated hepatic glucose metabolism were associated with an 81 ± 4% reduction in IHL... but no significant change in insulin-stimulated peripheral glucose uptake or IMCL.
Why this rating
Small sample size (n=8) but rigorous methodology (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps, MRS, stable isotopes).
Source
Reversal of Nonalcoholic Hepatic Steatosis, Hepatic Insulin Resistance, and Hyperglycemia by Moderate Weight Reduction in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Kitt Falk Petersen et al. · Diabetes · 2005
DOI 10.2337/diabetes.54.3.603
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