- Weight loss helps clear out ageing and damaged cells from the body.
- Losing weight triggers the breakdown and recycling of harmful fats.
- The findings could lead to improved treatments for type 2 diabetes.
A landmark study has revealed unexpected benefits associated with losing excess body weight, shedding light on processes that may significantly improve conditions like type 2 diabetes.
Published in the prestigious journal Nature, the research has provided the first detailed exploration of how fat tissue changes at the cellular level during weight loss.
Scientists from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Medical Sciences in London and Imperial College London studied fat tissue samples from 70 individuals, comparing healthy-weight participants to those severely obese (BMI over 35).
The obese participants underwent bariatric surgery and had fat samples collected at surgery and again five months later, following an average weight loss of 25kg.
The researchers discovered that weight loss helps clear out damaged and ageing cells, known as senescent cells, from fat tissues. These cells contribute to inflammation and tissue scarring, which are linked to various obesity-related complications.
Additionally, losing weight triggered the breakdown and recycling of fats, a process known as lipid recycling. This recycling mechanism could play a critical role in reversing the accumulation of harmful lipids in vital organs such as the liver and pancreas.
Dr William Scott, the study lead, highlighted: “We’ve long known that losing weight is beneficial for managing obesity-related conditions like diabetes, but the exact reasons weren’t fully clear. Our study provides a detailed cellular-level explanation of how these benefits arise.”
While the study has opened promising pathways towards new treatments for type 2 diabetes, it also indicated limitations.
In particular, inflammatory immune cells affected by obesity did not fully recover post-weight loss, potentially posing long-term health risks if individuals regain weight.
Diabetes UK’s research communications lead, Dr Faye Riley, added: “Weight loss can significantly improve health and even reverse type 2 diabetes for some. However, maintaining weight loss is challenging. These insights offer hope for developing therapies that replicate weight-loss effects, helping more people manage their diabetes effectively.”
The study received funding from the Medical Research Council, Diabetes UK, and Wellcome Trust.