“Eight weeks of exercise shown to reduce liver fat by 18-29 percent, improving diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.”

The most common chronic liver disease in the western world is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Experts say if trends continue, the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease will impact 50 percent of the western world population. A new study sheds some light on the positive impact that exercise has on this disease. (1)

Exercise has a positive impact on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease!

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome that is associated with obesity and diabetes. There are currently no approved medications for NAFLD, but making changes in your diet, exercise and weight reduction have shown to improve the disease. (1,2,3)

If struggling with obesity, most likely your doctor will first encourage you to lose weight. Both aerobic and resistance training exercise reduce liver and visceral fat. The exact amount and intensity of aerobic exercise has never been assessed. (2,3)

In this new study, a team of researchers examined the effect of different exercise regimens on improving liver and visceral fat in overweight or obese adults with sedentary lifestyles. They randomized 48 participants into four groups of 12 people: low to moderate intensity/high-volume aerobic exercise, high intensity/low volume aerobic exercise, low to moderate intensity/low volume aerobic exercise, and a placebo group. The study lasted eight weeks and the change in liver fat was assessed by a magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). (2)

Eight weeks of exercise improved liver fat in participants by 18-29 percent!

Each of the exercise groups, regardless of regimen showed improvement in liver fat at about 18-29 percent. In contrast, in the placebo group, liver fat increased by an average of 14 percent. The improvement was shown to be independent of weight loss and there was no significant difference between the aerobic exercise regimens and liver fat reduction. (2,3)

“The results from our study show that all exercise doses, irrespective of volume or intensity, were efficacious in reducing liver fat and visceral fat by an amount that was clinically significant, in previously inactive, overweight, or obese adults compared with placebo. These changes were observed without clinically significant weight loss,” explained lead investigator Dr. Nathan Johnson. (2)

If you or someone you know is struggling with being overweight, obese or diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, consider starting an exercise program. Design the program in a way that is appealing to you and does not over stress your body, and perhaps seek out a personal trainer as you work to improve your lifestyle.

Sources for this article include:

(1) www.webmd.com
(2) www.sciencedaily.com
(3) www.demanjo.com

Article originally published in RawFoodWorld.com republished with permission