Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load and Liver Enzyme Activity

Abstract

ObjectiveThe relationship between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFL) and insulin resistance, suggests that dietary interventions to reduce postprandial glycemia and insulin demand, i.e. low glycemic index (GI) and low glycemic load (GL) diets, may be relevant to NAFL. MethodsLiver enzymes (ALT and AST) were measured in two 3‐month clinical trials of low GI or GL versus control (high cereal fiber) diets in participants with type 2 diabetes (n=212). Baseline liver enzymes were also measured in three additional studies of type 2 diabetes (n=299).
ResultsIn study 1, the low GI diet resulted in significant reductions in both liver enzymes with a greater reduction for AST when compared to the control diet (P<0.05). In study 2, the low GL diet demonstrated significant reductions in both liver enzymes, while the control diet significantly reduced AST. However, the reductions in AST were significantly greater on the low GL diet compared to control (P<0.05).
 Using baseline data from studies 1 and 2 as well as 3 additional studies, baseline correlations between liver enzymes and markers of metabolic syndrome revealed significant positive correlations for both AST and ALT with diastolic blood pressure and with triglycerides, and for ALT with fasting glucose, HbA1c and systolic blood pressure (P<0.05). Of the dietary factors correlated with liver enzymes, only dietary cholesterol was positively associated with AST and ALT (P<0.05).
ConclusionLower GI and GL diets improved liver enzymes and thus may play a role in reducing the risk of NAFL.
 Funding: Barilla