Fatty liver is associated with five times greater risk of type II diabetes, reports the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
In recent years, fatty liver has grown in importance as a symptom of obesity and as a symptom of insulin resistance, the hormone that controls glucose levels in the body. However, recent research from Stanford University scientists indicates that a fatty liver is more than an indicator of obesity – it may be an independent risk factor in the development of type II diabetes.
The researchers followed a five-year follow-up of 11 Koreans who had previously tested their insulin levels on an empty stomach and had an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
It turned out that fatty liver is – regardless of insulin level – a risk factor for diabetes and increases the likelihood of its occurrence fivefold. Fatty liver was accompanied by an increased level of glucose and triglycerides in the blood, while the level of good cholesterol was lowered.
According to the authors of the research, ultrasound of the liver may allow for an earlier prediction of type II diabetes (PAP).