Fatty liver (Image courtesy of Yonhap News TV)
SEOUL, Nov. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent study by Chung-Ang University Hospital reveals that intermittent fasting is significantly more effective than continuous calorie-restricted diets in reducing fatty liver caused by metabolic abnormalities.
This condition, closely linked to obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes, can progress to serious complications such as hepatitis, liver cancer, and cardiovascular-related deaths if left untreated.
The research, conducted by Professor Han-A Lee’s team, involved 63 non-diabetic patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) over 12 weeks.
Participants were divided into two groups: one following a standard calorie-restricted diet consuming 80% of their daily recommended calorie intake (1,200–1,800 kcal daily), and the other practicing intermittent fasting.
The fasting group followed a regimen of eating 2,000–2,500 kcal on five days of the week and reducing intake to 500–600 kcal on the remaining two days.
Results showed that 72.2% of the intermittent fasting group achieved a reduction in liver fat of over 30%, compared to 44.4% in the calorie-restricted group. The effect was even more pronounced among obese participants, with 61.1% in the fasting group showing significant improvement versus 27.7% in the calorie-restricted group.
Additionally, weight loss was greater in the fasting group (5.5% reduction) compared to the calorie-restricted group (2.9%).
Professor Lee emphasized the importance of proactive dietary management to prevent the progression of fatty liver into severe conditions such as liver cirrhosis or cancer.
The study’s findings were published in the latest issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
