A recently published randomized controlled trial in Nature Communications demonstrates that dietary changes can significantly reduce liver fat and improve cardiometabolic health in individuals with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
The 12-month NAFLDiet study, led by researchers from Uppsala University, Sweden, compared two dietary strategies:
- A low-carbohydrate, high polyunsaturated fat diet (LCPUFA)
- A Healthy Nordic Diet (HND)
Both diets significantly reduced liver fat, measured by advanced MRI-based imaging, compared to usual care. Liver fat reduction was sustained over 12 months, with relative decreases of about 20–25%, a clinically meaningful improvement for managing NAFLD and metabolic dysfunction.
While both diets lowered LDL-cholesterol and liver fat, the Healthy Nordic Diet stood out by also improving body weight, HbA1c, triglycerides, inflammation markers, and liver enzymes. Notably, more than half of participants on the HND achieved remission of NAFLD.
The study was a collaborative effort involving researchers from Uppsala University, Lund University, Chalmers University of Technology, and clinical partners. Congratulations to Ulf Risérus and the entire team for advancing our understanding of how dietary strategies can support liver and metabolic health.
Publication details
Title: Effects of an anti-lipogenic low-carbohydrate high polyunsaturated fat diet or a healthy Nordic diet versus usual care on liver fat and cardiometabolic disorders in type 2 diabetes or prediabetes: a randomized controlled trial (NAFLDiet)
Authors: Fridén M, Rosqvist F, Kullberg J, Berglund L, Vessby J, Martinell M, Carlsson P-O, Hulthe J, Johansson L, Ahmad N, Johansson H-E, Rorsman F, Sundström J, Lind L, Landberg R, Orho-Melander M, Ahlström H, Risérus U
Find the publication link here.