The Acute Effects of Eucaloric and Hypocaloric Carbohydrate Restriction on Liver Fat Content and Metabolism in Obese Individuals

The Acute Effects of Eucaloric and Hypocaloric Carbohydrate Restriction on Liver Fat Content and Metabolism in Obese Individuals

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the acute changes in liver fat content in response to a fixed carbohydrate restriction (i.e. intake of 60g/day or 70g/day for women and men, respectively) in individuals with obesity. This will be performed both as 2 days of very low calorie diet (500 and 600 kcal/day for women and men, respectively) and 2 days of eucaloric low carbohydrate diet.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men (30-75 years) and postmenopausal women 45-75 years old
• Hba1c <48 mmol/mol without antidiabetic treatment
• Obese (BMI 27-40 kg/m2)
• Non smokers

Exclusion Criteria:

• Anemia (hemoglobin <8 mmol/L for men and <7 mmol/L for women)
• TSH outside reference range
• Medication known to influence glucose metabolism or appetite regulation
• Contraindications for MR-scan: abdominal height exceed limitations of the MR-scanner, pacemaker or other electronic device implanted, implanted metal devices, severe claustrophobia
• Food allergies (including lactose and gluten intolerance), vegetarian/vegan diet or following specific dietary plans
• Alcohol consumptions >84/168 g/week (women/men)
• Strenuous activity level > 120 minutes per week
• >5 kg weight loss within the last three months or previous bariatric surgery
• High risk of fibrosis of the liver (estimated by FIB4 score > 3,25)