Losing weight can be a hard challenge and a journey to never forget for many. It is accompanied by frustration when progress slows or plateaus. But why does this happen? Research suggests that fat cells, and their unique “memory,” might hold the answer. Here’s what fat cells are and their impact on weight loss.
What happens when you gain weight?
Fat cells, also known as adipocytes, are very much needed for storing energy in the form of fat.
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When we gain weight, these cells either expand to store more fat or multiply in number. Unlike some other cells in the body, fat cells don’t simply disappear when we lose weight. Instead, they shrink in size but remain present, ready to store fat again if we ever regain weight.
This persistence of fat cells means that even after significant weight loss, our body retains the capacity to store fat quickly. This is one reason why maintaining weight loss can be more challenging than losing weight initially.
The ‘memory’ of obesity
A recent study published in the journal ‘Nature’ has shown that fat cells carry a “memory” of obesity. This memory is linked to changes in the epigenome—a set of chemical markers that modify the way genes behave without altering the DNA sequence itself. These markers can influence fat cells to:
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– Increase inflammation within the body.
– Develop fibrotic (scar-like) tissue, reducing its normal function.
This altered gene activity doesn’t necessarily revert to a pre-obesity state, even after drastic weight loss, such as through bariatric surgery. Fat cells essentially remember being in an obese state, which can make them more efficient at absorbing sugar and fat and quicker to regain size when the body encounters a high-fat diet.
See more: Weight Loss Tips to Lose Inches of Stubborn Belly Fat in a Healthy Way
Why does the weight come back so quickly?
The epigenetic changes in fat cells help explain why weight regain often happens faster after significant weight loss. Fat cells that “remember” obesity are:
– More responsive to excess nutrients.
– Less efficient in their normal functioning, which can disrupt the body’s metabolism.
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When fat cells shrink after weight loss, hormonal changes occur. For example, levels of leptin, a hormone that regulates hunger, decrease, making us feel hungrier. This hormonal imbalance, combined with the persistent memory of fat cells, creates a biological environment that favours weight regain.
Is it possible to reset fat cells?
Scientists are still exploring whether the “memory” of fat cells can fade over time. Current research suggests that these changes are long-lasting, but there might be a window during which the epigenome can adapt to a leaner state. While weight loss is achievable, it requires long-term effort and consistent lifestyle changes.