According to a new study from Brunel University London, a fatty liver can also have a serious effect on your blood sugar levels.

Researchers reviewed MRI scans from 32,859 people that took a close look at the size of their liver, as well as pancreas. The investigators relied on a type of method used to measure gene function in order to examine cause and effect, known as Mendelian randomization.

Not only did the scientists learn that individuals who are genetically predisposed to storing fat in the liver were more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but every 5% increase in liver fat was shown to raise this risk by 27%. 

“Our results encourage better treatment of those living with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and provide evidence for the multiple benefits of weight loss and better screening for diabetes risk in these people,” stated lead study author Dr. Hanieh Yaghootkar in a press release.

The Cleveland Clinic defines NAFLD as a condition that occurs in one in three adults who are not heavy drinkers. While the cause of this type of liver disease in unknown, obesity and diabetes are considered likely risk factors.

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“I am not surprised by these findings since NAFLD has been shown to be a key factor in insulin resistance,” says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, LDN, CPT, a New Jersey-based nutrition consultant and author of 2 Day Diabetes Diet. “It makes sense that even small amounts of fat buildup on the liver would, in turn, elevate insulin resistance, and therefore, risk of type 2 diabetes.”

Furthermore, she believes this current study offers tremendous value since it points to the importance of focusing on the prevention of excess fatty tissue in the liver—which centers around your diet. “Some research suggests that coffee can be protective against damage to the liver from fat buildup. So, if tolerated, drinking up to two cups per day may be beneficial,” states Palinski-Wade.

However, she quickly adds that stirring in sugar and cream “may accelerate fat gains in the liver. Instead, enjoy coffee black or sweeten with flavorings, such as cinnamon or vanilla extract.”

Along with reducing overall sugar intake, Palinski-Wade also advises limiting alcohol consumption. “Following a Mediterranean-style of eating rich in plant-based fats, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fatty fish may be the best strategy at reducing fat in the liver,” she says.

Plus, consider placing more fiber-rich foods—like broccoli, berries, apples, as well as plenty of leafy greens and pulses—on your plate. “Fiber may help to reduce fat deposits in the liver while also helping to promote steady blood glucose levels and fight against insulin resistance,” says Palinski-Wade.

“A study found that spinach, in particular, may lower the risk of NAFLD, while the resistant starch found in pulses may also help to reduce NAFLD,” concludes Palinski-Wade.

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The type of inflammation caused by excess weight has been associated with numerous health risks, including development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues. Now, new research suggests there may be one risk you may not have considered: gum disease.

A study in the Journal of Dental Research found that excessive inflammation linked to obesity increased the amount of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, or MDSCs. These originate in bone marrow and develop into numerous cell types, including a kind called osteoclasts that break down bone tissue.

That’s an issue throughout the body, but can be particularly problematic in your mouth, the researchers note. That’s because bone holds your teeth in place, and when that foundation is weakened, it can lead to gum disease and potential tooth loss.

Related: This Is the Worst Food for Your Teeth, Dentist Says

“Previous research suggests there’s a clear relationship between obesity and gum disease and our study shows that might be due to higher amounts of osteoclasts,” says study co-author Keith Kirkwood, DDS, Ph.D., professor of oral biology at the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.

Although the study examined two groups of mice—with one group fed a diet that caused fast weight gain and subsequent inflammation spikes—the results are likely similar in people since the mechanism is the same, says Kirkwood.

“This process would not only explain the connection between excess weight and gum disease, but may also shed light on mechanisms behind other inflammatory, bone-related diseases that tend to develop along with obesity,” he adds. That includes arthritis and osteoporosis.

Why does weight gain cause such a dramatic reaction? Some experts have noted that overeating can increase the immune response because the body is stressed by that level of consumption.

In response, the immune system generates excessive inflammation as a way to handle the threat. If you overeat occasionally, that’s not a big deal, because your inflammation will lower once the perceived stress has passed. But, regularly consuming high amounts, and gaining weight as a result, will make that inflammation chronic, and that’s when the health risks begin increasing.

“It’s a balancing act,” says Bente Halvorsen, Ph.D., professor at the Research Institute for Internal Medicine at the University of Oslo in Norway. “But we can reduce the inflammatory reaction by losing weight, or at least by being more conscious of the effects of gaining weight.”

For more, make sure to sign up for our newsletter for the latest health and food news, and check out these Popular Foods That May Be Behind Your Holiday Weight Gain, Experts Say.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the top killer in the United States, causing one in four deaths annually. There are numerous strategies that can increase prevention, and a new study suggests weight loss is one of them.

Presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, the research looked at cardiovascular risk factors in just over 20,000 U.S. adults age 20 to 69. Researchers compared those who used to be obese but had lost the weight to those who had always been at a weight classified as normal. They also assessed heart disease risk factors—high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes—to a group who currently had obesity.

RELATED: The #1 Food Putting You at Risk of High Blood Pressure, New Study Suggests

Those with significant weight loss had the same level of risk for high blood pressure and high cholesterol as those who had always been at a normal weight. That means losing weight can bring down your chances of being affected by heart disease and may reverse that disease if you already have it since your risk factors change, according to lead author Maia Smith, Ph.D., assistant professor of epidemiology at the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at St. George’s University in Grenada.

“The key takeaway here is that weight loss is important for cardiovascular health,” she says. “Weight loss is hard, and so is keeping it off once you’ve lost it. But don’t despair. If you do manage to lose weight, it can not only prevent but reverse significant health effects.”

This study joins ample previous research making the same connection. A recent statement by the American Heart Association published in the journal Circulation noted that abdominal obesity is especially problematic and that efforts to not just lose weight but also change body composition could have a notable effect on reducing health risks.

One more nudge toward weight loss now rather than longer into the future is when diabetes is put into the equation, Smith adds. In the study, people who had lost weight had three times higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who had always maintained a healthy weight. However, those who were currently obese were seven times more likely to develop the disease than the normal weight group.

For more tips, be sure to read 7 Clean Eating Habits for Weight Loss, According to Dietitians. Then, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter!

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