Sami Qadri, MD, investigated the effects of ketogenic and conventional weight-loss diets on patients with fatty liver disease in his doctoral thesis, published at the University of Helsinki. The study revealed that a ketogenic diet can offer both benefits and drawbacks for weight loss, depending on whether the individual has advanced fatty liver disease. Qadri also works as a researcher in Minerva Institute’s research group that focuses on fatty liver diseases and diabetes.

Weight Loss via Dietary Change is Central to Treating Fatty Liver

Qadri’s doctoral research aimed to determine the advantages and disadvantages of ketogenic versus conventional, higher-carbohydrate weight-loss diets for patients diagnosed with fatty liver. Based on the research results, it can be concluded that recommending a ketogenic diet for weight loss is not straightforward – as many other aspects of weight loss. It is important that the patient’s overall health and individual differences are taken into account throughout the process.

In the ketogenic diet used for the study, 65% of the energy was derived from fat, 6% from carbohydrates, and 29% from protein. In the comparison diet, the energy distribution consisted of 39% fat, 42% carbohydrates, and 19% protein.

The study showed that weight loss was equal across both diets. However, the ketogenic diet reduced liver fat content by nearly 50% more compared to the conventional, higher-carbohydrate weight-loss diet. Additionally, liver glucose production decreased twice as much on the ketogenic diet, which is beneficial for diabetes management. Qadri notes that, in this regard, the ketogenic weight-loss diet was superior to the conventional one.

New Research Method Revealed Surprising Results

A new research method used in the study also revealed surprising results. The new research method measured the activity of mitochondria, which function as energy factories in the liver. Qadri found that the ketogenic diet accelerated the breakdown of fats in the liver. This led to a decline in mitochondrial function, which has been linked to the progression of liver disease in previous studies. For this reason, Qadri does not recommend the keto diet for individuals with advanced fatty liver disease.

Research Gained National Visibility

Metabolic fatty liver disease associated with abdominal obesity is a common condition in Finland, affecting one in four people – often completely without symptoms. Therefore Qadri’s research provides significant public health data beneficial to the general public. The results were noted in the national media, with both Iltalehti and Ilta-Sanomat publishing articles on the study. The Minerva Institute congratulates Qadri on his successful research work regarding fatty liver diseases.