Beneficial effect of a weight-stable, low-fat/low-saturated fat/low-glycaemic index diet to reduce liver fat in older subjects
Utzschneider,K.M., Bayer-Carter,J.L., Arbuckle,M.D., Tidwell,J.M., Richards,T.L. and Craft,S., (2013) Br.J.Nutr. 109:1096-1104
Objective: To assess the effect of eucalorically changing the fat content and glycaemic index (GI) of the diet on liver fat levels in older subjects
Design: Liver fat and intra-abdominal fat measured by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in subjects (n=20) after 4 weeks on an isocaloric low fat (23% energy), low saturated fat (7% energy), low GI diet (GI<55) and compared with subjects(n=15) on an isocaloric high fat (43% energy), high saturated fat (24% energy), high GI (GI>70) diet.
Setting: US
Participants: Mean age of subjects 69 years. Subjects had various degrees of cognitive impairment but no other diseases. Some were on cognition-enhancing medication.
Main outcome measures: Liver fat, intra-abdominal (IAF) and subcutaneaous fat (SCF), weight, fasting and OGTT glucose and insulin, total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, TAG, liver enzymes (ALT and AST). Matsuda index (a measure of insulin sensitivity calculated on fasting and OGTT glucose and insulin levels) and HOMA calculated.
Results: Weight remained stable, as did IAF and SCF on both diets. Liver fat declined on the low fat diet from 2.2% (by weight) to 1.7 but did not change on the high fat diet. Fasting glucose fell on the low fat diet but not on the high fat diet. Fasting insulin was unaffected by either diet as was HOMA, OGTT, ALT and AST. Matsuda index increased on low fat diet.
Conclusions: Low fat/ low GI diet beneficial for liver fat levels in this older population.
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