Research
Energy balance
De novo lipogenesis (DNL) contributes significantly to hepatic triglyceride accumulation in insulin-resistant states, particularly when driven by high carbohydrate intake, and is a target for drugs like pioglitazone and liraglutide.
High carbohydrate intake, especially in the context of insulin resistance, can lead your liver to create its own fat (DNL). Reducing refined carbs and improving insulin sensitivity can lower this internal fat production and help manage NAFLD.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
DNL contributes to 10%–35% of the total VLDL-TG pool... being higher in overweight compared to lean subjects and in general in insulin resistant states... Drugs like pioglitazone... and liraglutide... have been shown to reduce liver triglyceride and hepatic steatosis also through reduction of DNL
Why this rating
The review cites studies using deuterated water technique to measure DNL rates, providing robust evidence for its role in NAFLD.
Source
The Subtle Balance between Lipolysis and Lipogenesis: A Critical Point in Metabolic Homeostasis
Chiara Saponaro et al. · Nutrients · 2015
DOI 10.3390/nu7115475
narrative_reviewCited 519×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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