Researchers Protein-rich foods can melt liver fat

Protein-rich foods reduce liver fat by up to 48% in people with type 2 diabetes within six weeks. It does not matter if the diet is based primarily on vegetable or animal protein.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a pacemaker of type 2 diabetes and can develop into liver cirrhosis. Various studies have already examined the effects of protein-rich diets on human metabolism worldwide. Many of them have had beneficial effects on body weight, liver fat, blood lipid levels, long-term blood sugar levels and maintenance of muscle mass. However, some of the studies also concluded that high protein intake may reduce insulin action and burden kidney function.

Since both positive and negative effects could be observed, the question arose for the researchers as to whether the source of protein was decisive for the respective effect. Therefore, they examined the effects of two protein-rich diets on the metabolism of 37 female and male subjects between the ages of 49 and 78, who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and, in most cases, also had fatty liver disease. The two diets differed only in the protein sources, which were either mainly of plant or animal origin.

All study participants benefited from the protein-rich diet, regardless of whether it was based on vegetable or animal protein. Negative effects on renal function or sugar metabolism were not observed. Liver fat decreased significantly, in half of the study participants even by more than 50%. This was associated with favorable changes in the liver and fat metabolism, an improved insulin sensitivity of the participants and also a significant decrease in the messenger fibroblast growth factor 21 observed in the blood. Source: Deutsches Institut für Ernährungsforschung Potsdam-Rehbrücke