Trial results for a study investigating obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2025-09-25. The combination of alternate day fasting and exercise demonstrated a mean reduction in hepatic steatosis of -5.48 liver fat percentage among 80 participants.
Background
Obesity is a significant health concern, with approximately 65% of obese individuals also affected by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is closely linked to the development of insulin resistance and diabetes, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatment strategies. The current research aimed to evaluate innovative lifestyle interventions, specifically alternate day fasting (ADF) combined with exercise, as a non-pharmacological approach to treat NAFLD.
Trial design
This completed study, designated as Phase NA, enrolled 80 participants to investigate conditions including Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Obesity. The trial compared the effects of several lifestyle interventions: Alternate Day Fasting alone, Exercise alone, a Combination of Alternate Day Fasting Plus Exercise, and a Control group.
Key results
The trial reported several key measurements for changes in hepatic steatosis, body weight, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels:
- Change in Hepatic Steatosis (liver fat percentage):
- Alternate Day Fasting group observed a mean change of -2.25 liver fat percentage.
- Exercise group observed a mean change of -1.3 liver fat percentage.
- Combination Alternate Day Fasting Plus Exercise group observed the largest mean change of -5.48 liver fat percentage.
- Control group observed a mean change of -0.17 liver fat percentage.
- Change in Body Weight (kg):
- Alternate Day Fasting group observed a mean change of -4.45 kg.
- Exercise group observed a mean change of -1.79 kg.
- Combination Alternate Day Fasting Plus Exercise group observed a mean change of -4.18 kg.
- Control group observed a mean change of -0.52 kg.
- Change in Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) (U/L):
- Alternate Day Fasting group observed a mean change of -11.24 U/L.
- Exercise group observed a mean change of -0.70 U/L.
- Combination Alternate Day Fasting Plus Exercise group observed a mean change of -5.97 U/L.
- Control group observed a mean change of 0.65 U/L.
What this means
The results indicate that a combination of alternate day fasting and exercise led to the most substantial reduction in hepatic steatosis, a key indicator of NAFLD. Both alternate day fasting alone and the combined approach also demonstrated significant reductions in body weight. Additionally, alternate day fasting alone showed the largest decrease in ALT levels, suggesting improved liver health. These findings support the potential of lifestyle modifications as effective non-pharmacological interventions for managing obesity and NAFLD.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT04004403, titled "Alternate Day Fasting, Exercise, and NAFLD", were posted on 2025-09-25 on clinicaltrials.gov.