Eating a high-fat, low-carb diet could raise the risk of developing liver cancer within just twenty years, concerning new research has suggested. 

Referred to as a ‘keto diet’, devotees claim that it can aid rapid weight loss without feelings of hunger—but experts now say fatty diets can fundamentally alter liver cells, increasing the risk of cancer. 

US scientists found that when the liver is repeatedly exposed to a high-fat diet, its cells shift into a more primitive state.

Whilst this change helps cells withstand the stress caused by excess fat, it also makes them more vulnerable to disease. 

‘If cells are forced to deal with a stressor such as a high fat diet over and over again, they will do things that will help them to survive, but at the risk of increased susceptibility to tumorigenesis [when normal cells mutate and become cancerous],’ Professor Alex Shalek, director of the Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, and study co-author, explained. 

The team hopes that by targeting these changes early, doctors will be able to reduce the risk of tumour formation in people who are particularly vulnerable. 

A keto diet involves almost entirely avoiding ingesting carbohydrates in order to trigger a state of ketosis, which is when the body burns stored fat for energy, which in turn helps people lose weight.

Carbohydrates are a macronutrient (along with fat and protein) and are found in everything from grains to starchy vegetables and fruits. 

High-fat diets have long been linked to steatotic liver disease, whereby excess fat builds up inside the liver causing inflammation, liver failure and ultimately cancer.

In the study, published in the journal Cell, researchers fed mice a high-fat diet and used cell-sequencing to analyse how their livers responded. 

Early on, liver cells called hepatocytes were shown to activate genes to help them survive- reducing the likelihood of cell death and promoting growth. 

However, at the same time, genes essential for normal liver function were shut down. 

‘This really looks like a trade-off, prioritising what’s good for the individual cell to stay alive in a stressful environment, at the expense of what the collective tissue should be doing,’ Constantine Tzouanas, Harvard-MIT graduate and study co-author said. 

By the end of the study, nearly all mice fed a high-fat diet had developed liver cancer. 

The researchers found that when liver cells adapt in this way, they are more likely to become cancerous if a damaging mutation later occurs. 

Tzouanas said: ‘These cells have already turned on the same genes that they’re going to need to become cancerous.

‘Once a cell picks up the wrong mutation, then it’s really off to the races and they’ve already got a head start on some of those hallmarks of cancer.’ 

After uncovering these cellular changes in mice, the team turned their attention to people with various stages of liver disease.

They found that, over time, genes required for normal liver function deteriorated, while genes linked to cell survival thrived, allowing them to accurately predict patient survival outcomes. 

‘Patients who had higher expression of these pro-cell-survival genes that are turned on with a high-fat diet survived for less time after tumours developed,’ Tzouanas explains. 

‘And if a patient has lower expression of genes that support the functions that the liver normally performs, they also survive for less time.  

The scientists highlighted that whilst most of the mice developed cancer within a year, this process is much slower in humans, unfolding over around 20 years.

But, they added, this time frame can vary based on lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption, and overall health – with excessive drinking and viral infections both pushing liver cells toward an ‘immature’ state, increasing the risk of cancer. 

This is because when liver cells exist in a less mature state, they are more likely to become cancerous if a damaging mutation occurs later. 

The team will now investigate whether this damage can be reversed through a healthier diet, or using GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as Mounjaro. 

Prof Shalek said: ‘We now have all these new molecular targets and a better understanding of what is underlying the biology, which could give us new angles to improve outcomes for patients.’ 

A keto diet often consists of 75 per cent fat, 20 per cent protein and only 5 per cent carbohydrates. 

By contrast, the NHS’s healthy balanced diet advice advocates for 30 per cent fat, 15 per cent protein and over 50 per cent carbohydrates. 

Despite multiple studies pointing to the potential dangers of a keto diet it has become increasingly popular. A number of celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry and Kourtney Kardashian have spoken about being on the low-carb diet in the past.

Where liver disease was once largely confined to the elderly and heavy drinkers, it is now rising rapidly among younger adults.

The British Liver Trust estimates the condition may now affect one in five people in the UK—though experts have warned the true figure could be as high as 40 per cent.

Worryingly, around 80 per cent of those affected remain undiagnosed, as the disease often has no obvious symptoms—or it has symptoms that are mistaken for less serious problems.

Around one in four patients will develop a more advanced form of the disease resulting in irreversible scarring of the liver, ultimately resulting in organ failure and cancer. 

But experts are hopeful that weight loss jabs like Mounjaro will transform liver disease treatment, helping the liver burn excess fat that increases the risk of disease. 

Daily Mail

Dubai, UAE – Fakeeh University Hospital (FUH) in collaboration with Verita Neuro announces the launch of the first epidural stimulation program in the Middle East, marking a transformative moment in the treatment of spinal cord injuries. This pioneering initiative positions Dubai as a leading destination for advanced neurological recovery, delivering innovative solutions that were previously unavailable in the region.

Dr. Mohaymen Abdelghany, Group CEO | Board Member – Fakeeh Health | CEO – Fakeeh University Hospital, stated:

“This strategic partnership with Verita Neuro reflects our commitment to providing world-class, evidence-based care in the UAE. Introducing epidural stimulation at Fakeeh University Hospital means patients with spinal cord injuries no longer need to travel abroad to access advanced neurorehabilitation. Together with Verita Neuro, we are redefining the standard of care in the Middle East – bringing back mobility, independence, and hope to those affected”.

Fakeeh University Hospital continues to grow its footprint in innovative treatments, solidifying its mission to offer the highest standards of care in Dubai and beyond.

Julian Andriesz, Verita’s Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“Verita Neuro is a global pioneer in reconnecting brain-body pathways for patients to regain voluntary movement and vital autonomic functions. Fakeeh University Hospital, one of the region’s most respected academic medical centers, is the perfect partner to bring these cutting-edge therapies to the region and I am delighted with the collaboration.”

Dr. Nasir Majeed, Chief Medical Officer of Verita Neuro, added:

“Dubai’s world-class medical infrastructure is the perfect home to introduce our proprietary epidural stimulation treatment, delivering personalized, life-changing neurological restoration right here in the heart of the Middle East.”

Summary of the Surgery: Epidural Stimulation involves the surgical implantation of a neurostimulation device. The device is placed on the posterior structures of the lumbar spinal cord where it supplies electrical currents that connect nerve signals from the brain to spinal cord tissue below the injury level. This “bridging” effect allows for the possibility of voluntary movement and the return to normal of various involuntary body functions. The epidural stimulation device can be implanted in patients with complete or incomplete injuries and can be programmed and controlled by a handheld module no bigger than a smartphone. Verita Neuro’s proprietary protocol is designed to bring back mobility to individuals to Spinal Cord Injury patients in the form of ability to stand, take assisted steps and an array of other improvements such as improved bowel and bladder control, improved spasticity and autonomic functions.

About Fakeeh University Hospital 

Fakeeh University Hospital is a hospital and medical university brought by the pioneering Saudi healthcare provider group, Fakeeh Care. With a rich legacy of over four decades, Fakeeh Care is committed to delivering medical excellence and championing outstanding research in the UAE. Fakeeh University Hospital is a 350-bed state-of-the-art facility, located in Dubai Silicon Oasis, which has the capacity to provide primary, secondary, and tertiary care. It is equipped with cutting-edge technology and smart systems that are built to meet the unique needs of the hospital and UAE patients. Fakeeh University Hospital uses innovative diagnostic technology, advanced data-assisted, and automated medication dispensing systems, which combined with leading medical experts, make patient diagnoses, and care precise and efficient. Operating as a teaching hospital in Dubai, Fakeeh University Hospital aims to provide world-class medical education to the future generations of doctors in the UAE, expand the medical horizons of practicing healthcare experts, while also bringing the latest research to its patients. The hospital is a benchmark for medical collaboration, international affiliations, and combines medical education with evidence-based medicine in a modern environment. For more information, visit www.fuh.care

About Verita Neuro

Verita Neuro, part of the Verita Healthcare group of companies, is a global pioneer in advanced treatments for spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, stroke and other neurological conditions. As the first provider worldwide to offer epidural stimulation outside clinical trials, Verita Neuro combines neuromodulation, regenerative therapies and intensive rehabilitation to deliver personalized, life-changing care to patients from over 50 countries. https://veritaneuro.com/

Contact: Hanna Charles – hanna@veritaneuro.com

Saudi German Health Brings Its “Caring Like Family” Promise Into the Digital World

​Turning Everyday Health Questions into Trusted Medical Guidance

​Dubai, UAE – 13^th Jan 2026

Saudi German Health (SGH) UAE believes that true healthcare starts with a conversation, not just a consultation. Driven by a vision of meaningful community service, SGH has launched a digital collaboration with The Health Community to bridge the gap between online uncertainty and professional medical guidance.

​As promised by its core ethos of “Caring Like Family,” this partnership ensures the community has access to the same reliable advice SGH doctors would give their own loved ones. By transforming common health searches into short, compassionate video guides, SGH is bringing expert care directly into the digital lives of families.

​A Hub for Every Health Journey

​This initiative creates an accessible space where SGH specialists provide clarity across vital healthcare fields, including:

​Obstetrics & Gynecology: Guidance for every stage of womanhood.

​Pediatrics: Expert support for growing families.

​Cardiology & Chronic Diseases: Heart health and long-term wellness.

​Digestive & Mental Health: Caring for both the body and the mind.

​Preventive Care: Tools for staying healthy and informed.

​Caring Beyond the Hospital Walls

​For SGH, this is an act of service. The initiative replaces clinical distance with human connection, featuring real specialists providing the same compassionate advice they offer their patients in the clinic every day. By filming on-location at SGH facilities, the partnership ensures that medical knowledge feels personal, trustworthy, and genuinely supportive for the people of the UAE.

​Through this initiative, Saudi German Health continues to lead as a community-first provider, proving that the best medicine starts with an informed and empowered public.