Carbohydrate intake as cause of fatty liver disease

[MCF]

From e! Science News

http://esciencenews.com/articles/2008/10/2...formation.liver

 

"Low-carb diets alter glucose formation by the liver

Published: Monday, October 20, 2008 - 13:35 in Health &

Medicine

 

A new study shows that a low-carbohydrate diet changes

hepatic energy metabolism. When carbohydrates are

restricted, the liver relies more on substances like lactate

and amino acids to form glucose, instead of glycerol."

<snip>

"Over the past 30 years, the U.S. population has reduced its

fat intake, and increased its consumption of carbohydrates.

During the same time period, obesity has been rising along

with the prevalence of metabolic liver disease in which

fatty deposits in the liver can lead to inflammation,

fibrosis and cirrhosis. Some evidence has suggested that a

high carbohydrate diet leads to fat formation in the liver,

although confirming the association has been difficult."

<snip>

""We have shown that the sources from which endogenous

glucose is produced are dependent upon dietary macronutrient

composition," the authors write. They suggest that the shift

in glucose metabolism associated with a low carbohydrate

diet could be beneficial in individuals with non-alcoholic

fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to improved disposal of

hepatic fat.

 

In conclusion, these findings may partly explain the

correlation between carbohydrate intake and severity of

liver disease in individuals with NAFLD."

 

Full text:

 

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin...433514/PDFSTART

Alterations in Hepatic Glucose and Energy Metabolism

as a Result of Calorie and Carbohydrate Restriction

[da89165]

Thanks I always like knowing the "why" and this explains it perfectly!

[kellysue]

I was on low, low carb from 1/1/2000 and was diagnosed w/ a fatty liver in fall/2005 and 2006. I usually didn't make it to 25 grams of carbs in a day, so I don't know if that study is correct for everyone, but still interesting.