Victoria AdolphusA recent study by ETH Zurich has revealed that our bodies have an “epigenetic memory” of being overweight, which can make it more challenging to lose weight and maintain weight loss.
The Yo-Yo Effect
We’ve all experienced it: we diet, lose weight, and then, before we know it, the weight creeps back on. This phenomenon is known as the yo-yo effect, and researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered that it’s rooted in epigenetics.
Epigenetics and Obesity
Epigenetics is the study of how environmental factors and lifestyle choices affect our genes. In the case of obesity, researchers found that fat cells undergo epigenetic changes when we gain weight. These changes remain even after we lose weight, making it easier to regain weight.
The Study
Researchers at ETH Zurich conducted a study on mice and humans to investigate the molecular causes of the yo-yo effect. They found that obesity leads to characteristic epigenetic changes in fat cells, which remain even after weight loss.
The Implications
The study’s findings suggest that prevention is key when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight. Since fat cells can “remember” obesity, it’s essential to avoid being overweight in the first place.
The Future of Weight Loss
While the study’s findings may seem discouraging, they also highlight the importance of continued research into the causes of obesity and weight regain. By understanding the underlying mechanisms, we may be able to develop more effective weight loss strategies in the future.
Reference
“Adipose tissue retains an epigenetic memory of obesity after weight loss” by Laura C. Hinte, Daniel Castellano-Castillo, Adhideb Ghosh, Kate Melrose, Emanuel Gasser, Falko Noé, Lucas Massier, Hua Dong, Wenfei Sun, Anne Hoffmann, Christian Wolfrum, Mikael Rydén, Niklas Mejhert, Matthias Blüher and Ferdinand von Meyenn, 18 November 2024, Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08165-7
