Why Your Liver May Be Overlooking an Important Blood Sugar Hormone

When people talk about blood sugar, insulin usually gets the spotlight. But another hormone may be working just as hard in the background: glucagon.

New research suggests glucagon could help explain why fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes so often occur together.

How the study was carried out

Fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes frequently appear side by side, yet the reason has remained unclear. Most studies have centered on insulin resistance, but the researchers behind this work asked whether glucagon—the hormone that signals the liver to release stored sugar—also has a role.

They studied 50 people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and 50 people with normal blood sugar, matching the groups by age, sex, and weight. The team used MRI scans to measure liver fat and performed metabolic testing to monitor glucagon levels before and after participants drank a liquid meal.

Diabetes and fatty liver were linked to much higher glucagon

Participants with type 2 diabetes had about 65% more liver fat than those with normal blood sugar. Their glucagon levels were also higher, at roughly 30% above normal while fasting and around 75% higher after eating.

One striking result was that the link between liver fat and post-meal glucagon appeared only in people with type 2 diabetes.

Those who had both fatty liver and diabetes showed about 47% higher glucagon levels immediately after eating than people who did not have that combination.

Even more notable, the pattern remained after the researchers adjusted for other influences such as insulin sensitivity, belly fat, amino acids, and fatty acids in the blood.

That suggests something specific may be happening in the relationship between the liver and glucagon.

What the findings could mean for metabolism

The results may point to hepatic glucagon resistance, a condition in which the liver no longer responds normally to glucagon’s signals.

Under usual circumstances, glucagon tells the liver to release glucose and burn fat. But if the liver is already burdened with fat, it may stop responding properly. The body may then produce even more glucagon, setting up a cycle that could accelerate metabolic trouble early in diabetes.

This broadens the discussion beyond insulin alone. Insulin resistance remains a major focus in diabetes prevention and treatment, but glucagon-related problems may be developing at the same time, especially when fatty liver is present.

Six ways to support liver health and steadier blood sugar

As researchers continue to study glucagon-focused therapies, there are still practical steps you can take now to support your liver and metabolism:

• Take a short walk after meals. Even 10 to 15 minutes of walking can help your muscles take up glucose and may reduce the blood sugar spike that triggers glucagon release.
• Choose more fiber-rich whole foods. A Mediterranean-style diet built around vegetables, beans, nuts, olive oil, and fish can support liver health and help keep blood sugar more stable. Fiber also slows how quickly sugar enters the bloodstream.
• Limit ultra-processed foods. These foods are associated with more fat accumulating in the liver. When possible, choose whole or minimally processed foods instead.
• Keep alcohol intake in check. The liver prioritizes breaking down alcohol over its other tasks, which can contribute to fat buildup over time.
• Reduce belly fat. Fat around the middle is closely tied to liver fat and metabolic problems. Regular activity, especially strength training, can help lower visceral fat more effectively than diet changes alone.
• Sleep well. Poor sleep can disrupt blood sugar control and worsen insulin resistance. Aim for seven to nine hours each night.

The bottom line

Glucagon gets far less attention than insulin, but this study suggests it may be an important link between fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. Supporting liver health through movement, nutrition, and other healthy habits can benefit your entire metabolic system.