Why is it hard to lose weight: Scientists have the answer
Researchers have discovered that fat cells retain a ‘memory’ of obesity, making it challenging to lose weight even after significant efforts, including surgery.
in short
- Fat cells hold a “memory” of obesity
- This makes it difficult to maintain weight loss
- Researchers say changes in gene activity occur during obesity
Losing weight is a difficult journey, but maintaining it can be even more difficult. Researchers have been trying to understand why this happens, and it seems they have found the answer: Fat cells retain a “memory” of obesity even after significant weight loss.
This means that if you have lost significant weight, you are more likely to gain it back soon. Therefore, maintaining weight loss may be difficult.
The researchers found that obesity alters the epigenome, a set of chemical markers that control how genes work. These changes can alter the ability of fat cells to function normally.
Surprisingly, this genetic activity remains associated with obesity even after weight-loss surgery, making it easier for people to regain weight.
“It’s not your fault. The body’s memory of obesity makes maintaining weight loss challenging and often requires long-term care,” Dr. Laura Hinte, a biologist at ETH Zurich and co-author of the study, explained in a report in Nature. Is .”
the science behind it
The research involved studying the fat tissue of people with severe obesity and people who were never obese. The team found significant differences in gene activity. Some genes associated with inflammation and wounding became more active in obese individuals, while others that help fat cells function normally became less active.
These patterns did not change even after people lost a large amount of weight after surgery. The findings were mirrored in experiments conducted on mice, where epigenetic changes persisted in fat cells even after the mice became thin.
Formerly obese mice absorbed more sugar and fat and gained weight faster than mice that had never been obese when fed a high-fat diet. This suggests that the “memory” of obesity makes fat cells more prone to storing energy.
What does this mean?
The study highlights the importance of preventing obesity in the first place. While people can stay lean after weight loss, it often requires consistent effort and support.
Another co-author, Dr. Ferdinand von Mayen, hopes the research will reduce the stigma associated with obesity. “It’s a complex situation, and not just about willpower,” he says.
Understanding how fat cells remember obesity could open the door to better treatments, helping millions of people manage their weight more effectively.
