Lifestyle weight loss and liver histology in NASH
The question: Is fatty liver reversible?
- Study type
- Observational study
- Participants
- 293
- Population
- Adults with biopsy-confirmed NASH advised to change diet and activity
- Intervention
- Lifestyle modification for weight loss
- Compared with
- Degree of weight lost
- Duration
- 52 weeks with repeat biopsy
- Published
- Gastroenterology, 2015
What was measured
Resolution of steatohepatitis and regression of fibrosis on biopsy.
What was found
Benefit rose with weight lost. Among people who lost 10 per cent or more of their body weight, 90 per cent had resolution of steatohepatitis and 45 per cent had regression of fibrosis.
Limitations
Observational analysis within a single centre. Only a minority reached 10 per cent weight loss.
What it means
Some of the strongest evidence in liver medicine: meaningful, sustained weight loss can reverse the inflammation of fatty liver and even some scarring.
Source
Vilar-Gomez E, Martinez-Perez Y, Calzadilla-Bertot L, et al. Weight loss through lifestyle modification significantly reduces features of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Gastroenterology. 2015;149(2):367-378.
Read the original (DOI 10.1053/j.gastro.2015.04.005) · Source verified 8 October 2026
Study summaries describe published research for education. They are not claims about any product and are not medical advice.