Less liver fat with exercise
- Published in
- Metabolism 2017
- People studied
- 1,073
In 20 trials with 1,073 people with fatty liver, exercise lowered liver fat, even when weight did not change.
- Checked against
- PubMed 28183444
- Published in
- Metabolism 2017
- Last checked
- 30 October 2026
Key takeaway
This pooled analysis combined 20 randomised trials with 1,073 adults with fatty liver. Compared with standard care, exercise improved liver enzyme blood tests and lowered the fat inside the liver, whatever happened to weight. Exercise combined with diet lowered a liver enzyme and improved a biopsy score of liver disease activity.
At a glance
- Type of study
- pooled analysis of randomised trials (meta-analysis)
- People studied
- 1,073
- Compared with
- standard care
- Main result
- Exercise lowered liver fat; diet plus exercise improved liver enzymes.
- Strength of evidence
- Randomised trials
What this study does not show
The trials differed from each other, and the abstract does not say how long they lasted. The results are changes in blood tests, scans and biopsy scores, not fewer liver illnesses later on.
Results from studies in groups of people, mostly in diet and movement programmes. They cannot be promised to any one person. This information is educational and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
More on liver
- Less liver inflammationSmall or uncontrolled studies · Vilar-Gomez et al., Gastroenterology 2015
- Better liver biopsy resultsSmall or uncontrolled studies · Promrat et al., Hepatology 2010
- Less liver fatSmall or uncontrolled studies · Lazo et al., Diabetes Care 2010
- Remission of fatty liverRandomised trials · Wong et al., J Hepatol 2013
- Fatty liver can go awayLong-term or observational studies · Zelber-Sagi et al., J Hepatol 2012
- Less liver fat with exerciseRandomised trials · Katsagoni et al., Metabolism 2017
- Lower liver stiffness with dietLong-term or observational studies · Haigh et al., Clin Nutr 2022
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