Could a ketone drink help teens with fatty liver disease?

NCT ID NCT07097506

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 16, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study tests whether a daily ketone ester drink can reduce liver fat and improve how the body handles sugar in adolescents and young adults with obesity and a fatty liver condition called MASLD. Forty participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the ketone drink or a placebo for six weeks. Researchers will measure changes in liver fat using MRI and check insulin sensitivity with a special test.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
bis-octanoyl (R)-1,3-butanediol (C8 ketone di-ester)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a simple dietary supplement to help manage liver fat and blood sugar in young people with obesity-related liver disease.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial with only 40 participants, so results may not apply widely. The drink might cause digestive discomfort or not improve liver health as hoped.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Washington University School of Medicine

    RECRUITING

    St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

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