Written by Harry Turnbull
A serious health condition is now thought to affect over a third of the global population, yet many remain unaware they have it.
While liver problems are often linked with excessive drinking, a growing concern is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)—a condition that can go unnoticed for years. Although blood tests may detect it, most people are unaware they could be living with a potential silent killer which gradually builds up fat.
NAFLD often shows no symptoms until it has progressed, but some may experience fatigue, unexplained weight gain, or a dull ache on the right side of the abdomen. If left unchecked, it can lead to cirrhosis, a condition more commonly associated with alcohol overindulgence.
Research indicates that the condition may be managed or even reversed with a ketogenic (keto) diet, which is a very low-carbohydrate eating plan. Dr. David Unwin, a GP in Southport who advocates for low-carb diets, has monitored his patients and found the diet’s effectiveness in addressing NAFLD.
‘They mainly ate green vegetables, fish, nuts, eggs, and meat, reducing their intake of starchy carbs and increasing healthy fats from olive oil or butter,’ said Dr. Unwin. ‘The results were striking. GGT readings—a marker of liver health—dropped by an average of 47%. That makes sense because the liver is the first destination for new glucose supplies.’
In addition to improved liver function, other health benefits included reduced blood sugar levels, weight loss, and better cholesterol ratios.
Dr. Unwin contributed to an academic paper on NAFLD published last month in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. In it he states ‘The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is likely to be approaching 38% of the world’s population. It is particularly worrying that NAFLD is increasingly diagnosed in children and is closely related, among other conditions, to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.’
Despite these alarming statistics, awareness among patients remains low. In one study, nearly 96% of adult patients with NAFLD were unaware of their condition. Thus, research on effective treatment options, such as dietary interventions, is crucial. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are significant risk factors.
The ketogenic diet may be one of the most effective therapeutic approaches to NAFLD because it addresses key factors in disease progression.
Dr. Unwin explained, ‘One of the main recommendations is to achieve a calorie deficit to reduce body weight. The keto diet can reduce calorie intake without tracking, by maintaining a high level of satiety, thus reducing the desire to snack.’
Snacking, ultra processed foods and hidden sugars in manufactured foods are all likely to contribute if there is overindulgence.
In his own work several years ago, Dr. Unwin tracked GGT, a marker of liver function, before and after his patients adopted a keto diet. Over an average of 21 months, patients in his cohort saw a 39% reduction in GGT.
A low-carb approach could not only save the NHS money on drugs but also empower patients to regain control over their health and future.
