Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Apr 30, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: Apr 29, 2024 - Jun 24, 2024
Date Accepted: Oct 10, 2024
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
A Very Low-Carbohydrate Program in Adults with MASLD and PNPLA3 Risk Genotype
ABSTRACT
Background:
Insulin resistance and the G allele of rs738409 interact to create a greater risk of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). One promising way to reduce insulin resistance is by following a very low-carbohydrate (VLC) dietary pattern.
Objective:
Insulin resistance and the G allele of rs738409 interact to create a greater risk of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). One promising way to reduce insulin resistance is by following a very low-carbohydrate (VLC) dietary pattern.
Methods:
Adults with rs738409-GG or -CG with liver steatosis and elevated liver function tests, were taught an ad libitum VLC diet, positive affect and mindful eating skills, goal setting, self-monitoring, and given feedback and coaching for 4 months. We measured liver steatosis, anthropometric, serum metabolic diet adherence, and quality of lifer measures.
Results:
Of the 11 participants enrolled, 9/11 (82%) completed outcomes. Overall, weight decreased 10.9% (p < 0.001), HbA1c reduced 9.4% (p = 0.001), insulin reduced 30.7% (p = 0.020), insulin resistance reduced 36.8% (p = 0.007), triglycerides reduced 14.3% (p = 0.021), abdominal symptoms reduced 33.2% (p = 0.044), emotional function improved 22.6% (p = 0.016) and fatigue reduced 27.1% (p = 0.024). For the six adherent participants, weight decreased 12.0% (p < 0.001), liver lobe fat percent decreased 53.1% (p = 0.001), AST reduced 33.9% (p = 0.006), ALT reduced 47.5% (p = 0.003), HbA1c reduced 7.7% (p = 0.014), insulin reduced 40.5% (p = 0.023), and insulin resistance reduced 44.0% (p = 0.019). Overall, intervention satisfaction was high with 5/9 (56%) rating the intervention the top score, and 4/9 (44%) reporting they did not plan to stop following the VLC diet.
Conclusions:
Results suggest the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the VLC intervention in adults with higher genetic risk for MASLD. Clinical Trial: N/A
Citation
Per the author's request the PDF is not available.
Copyright
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