Research results have shown that intermittent fasting is effective in treating fatty liver.

Metabolic fatty liver disease, which shows a high prevalence of about 30% among adults in the country, is a condition characterized by fat accumulation in the liver. It is closely associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.

 

If fatty liver disease progresses, it can lead to liver-related complications such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, and the risk of cardiovascular disease and related mortality increases, requiring active treatment.

 

Since effective treatments for fatty liver have not yet been introduced domestically, weight loss through dietary and exercise methods is currently considered the most important treatment approach.

Professor Lee Hana's team from the Department of Gastroenterology at Chung-Ang University Hospital conducted a study to investigate the effects of intermittent calorie restriction in non-diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome-related fatty liver disease. To this end, the research team divided non-diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome-related fatty liver disease into two groups and compared the effects of intermittent calorie restriction and a standard diet over a period of 12 weeks.

 

As a result, the group practicing intermittent fasting called '5:2 intermittent calorie restriction' showed a higher proportion of patients with a reduction of more than 30% in intrahepatic fat compared to the 'standard diet' group (72.2% vs 44.4%). The 5:2 intermittent calorie restriction involves consuming three regular meals totaling 2000-2500 kcal or less for five days a week, and 500-600 kcal for two days. The standard diet group consumed 80% of the recommended calorie intake for three meals a day per week, totaling 1200-1800 kcal.

 

In particular, obese individuals experienced a greater reduction in fatty liver through intermittent calorie restriction diets compared to non-obese individuals. Additionally, it was confirmed to be effective for weight loss as well (relative weight loss rate of 5.5% vs. 2.9%).

Thus, the research team confirmed that intermittent calorie restriction (5:2 diet) can be an effective treatment for obese patients with fatty liver disease.

 

Professor Lee Han-ah, the lead author of the study, said, "For obese individuals, intermittent calorie restriction twice a week is effective for fatty liver and weight loss, so I recommend actively trying non-pharmacological treatment methods."

 

He also said, "Don't take fatty liver lightly just because it's common; if left untreated, it can lead to hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, so early and proactive dietary management is necessary for prevention."

 

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Intermittent fasting helps with fatty liver.

It means it can be done.

 

I thought fatty liver was easy to deal with, but I hear it can lead to hepatitis and liver cancer.

Thinking of going on a diet

Sometimes, intermittent fasting might be okay.