by Dr. Ted Cibik
Do you have trouble losing weight and keeping weight off? Science shows a memory of obesity is encoded in the DNA of your fat cells.
It may make it harder to keep the weight off and could explain why many people experience a repeated cycle of weight loss and regain.
This new research reveals that obesity triggers epigenetic changes, chemical modifications to DNA that alter gene activity, within fat cells.
These changes persist even after weight loss, influencing how fat cells function and potentially driving the body to return to a state of obesity. The study found distinct differences in gene activity between the fat cells of individuals who had experienced obesity and those who had never been obese. In those with a history of obesity, certain genes involved in inflammation and the formation of scar-like tissue were more active, while genes responsible for normal fat cell function were less active. Remarkably, these altered gene activity patterns remained even after individuals underwent weight-loss surgery, suggesting that fat cells retain a cellular memory of their previous obese state. Experiments with mice further supported these findings. Mice that had previously been obese gained significantly more weight when re-exposed to a high-fat diet compared to mice that had never been obese.
This suggests that the epigenetic changes in fat cells not only remember obesity but may actively contribute to weight regain. By understanding how fat cells remember obesity, scientists could develop targeted interventions, such as drugs that reverse these cellular changes or personalized weight-loss programs tailored to individual needs.
Why am I sharing this information?
I have a method that keeps the weight off but does require effort on your part 30 minutes a day.
To learn more about this approach, I would love to work with you on ZOOM or in person. I have also recently reopened my private personal training gym, for those looking for safe and effective exercise routines.
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