CD - does it shrink the liver?

Brunetteandred

Officially a loser
I am an old hand, lapsed VLCDer and am wondering if VLCDs shrink the liver. Methinks it proilly does, but can anyone confirm?

I have posted this on the LL thread too biut have come here as Icemoose may well know! Or any of you for that matter!

Thanks in advance guys and gals!
 
That's interesting. If it does shrink that may not be a bad thing depending how much it shrinks I suppose. If it reduces from a bloated unhealthy condition that must be good. However if it is atrophy, then :eek::eek:

Does anyone else have any ideas/information about this?
 
Have just done a google and found this here:

VLCD results in significant related reductions in liver size and liver fat content. This suggests that the reduction in liver volume is due to loss of fat. The reduction in liver fat and volume likely accounts for the perceived improved operability in patients undergoing LAGB.

It would be helpful if any CDCs or LLCs have an inkling, but in the meantime, I'll keep researching.
 
I was going to say exactly the same thing that surely any reduction in the size of your liver is purely loss of fat content rather than the actual liver itself. If you think about it we've been over stuffing ourselves for years (In my case anyway) and over feeding creates a fatty liver (think foie gras!) so therefore when you stop the overeating the fat in your liver decreases.
 
I agree with Kelly. Liver stores glycogen. The whole reason for the diet is to use up fat stores so there isn't much if any glycogen being stored. That's why people can gain weight when they pick. They replenish the glycogen stores. Liver can't shrink as it's not a muscle. It goes back to it's "normal" size when you are in maintenance as then you have some glycogen stores.
 
VLCD results in significant related reductions in liver size and liver fat content. This suggests that the reduction in liver volume is due to loss of fat. The reduction in liver fat and volume likely accounts for the perceived improved operability in patients undergoing LAGB.
This does suggest that reduction in liver size is a good thing. Not having a fatty liver can only be good.
 
I'm not asking if it shrinks the liver for a nefarious reason. I am asking because I am to undergo bariatric surgery soon(ish) and there is a need to shrink the liver beforehand. It will entail some yukky milk/yoghurt only diet for two weeks and rather than that, I'd sooner SS for two weeks as I know I can do that, no problem!

I'm a big supporter of VLCDs having lost 7 stone on LL in 2006.
 
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