Fat cells can ‘remember’ obesity
The body’s fat cells carry a ‘memory’ of obesity, even after weight loss. The memory is formed because obesity causes epigenetic changes in the cells, which seem to render them incapable of their normal function even when weight returns to healthy levels. The results suggest that people trying to slim down will often require long-term care to avoid weight regain, says biologist and study co-author Laura Hinte. “It means that you need more help, potentially,” she says. “It’s not your fault.”
Nature | 5 min read
Reference: Nature paper
www.nature.com
The body’s fat cells carry a ‘memory’ of obesity, even after weight loss. The memory is formed because obesity causes epigenetic changes in the cells, which seem to render them incapable of their normal function even when weight returns to healthy levels. The results suggest that people trying to slim down will often require long-term care to avoid weight regain, says biologist and study co-author Laura Hinte. “It means that you need more help, potentially,” she says. “It’s not your fault.”
Nature | 5 min read
Reference: Nature paper
Adipose tissue retains an epigenetic memory of obesity after weight loss - Nature
Stable epigenetic changes indicate the existence of an obesogenic memory in mouse adipocytes that primes cells for pathological responses in an obesogenic environment and potentially contributes to the problematic ‘yo-yo’ effect often seen with dieting.
www.nature.com
