A new factor explains why obese people find it so difficult to regain a healthy weight. In a study published November 18 in the journal Nature, researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich demonstrate one of the mechanisms of the “yo-yo effect.” Or the beginning of weight loss during a diet, followed by a new gain.
It was for the first time in mice that researchers studied and demonstrated the role of epigenetics. What is epigenetics? According to Inserm, it is “the study of changes in genetic activity, which do not involve modification of the DNA sequence.” Or what can be influenced by the environment, our eating habits for example.
A “memory” of fat cells
More specifically, researchers point out the existence of a “memory” in adipose cells, fat cells. They remember the overweight state and can return to it more easily,” explains Ferdinand Von Meyenn, professor of nutrition and metabolic epigenetics, in a statement.
Therefore, the body retains the memory of obesity and, if it once again has a caloric surplus, it will seek to return to its previous state. Hence the rapid weight gain.
The Swiss specialists studied the tissues of people who were previously overweight and who had undergone, for example, gastric reduction surgery. The results observed are consistent with those studied for the first time in mice.
However, it remains difficult to say how long these cells retain the “memory” of excess weight. However, they have a long lifespan: “they live an average of ten years,” specifies co-author Laura Hinte.
However, note that the researchers only focused on this possible cause of the yo-yo effect in their study. They did not study the role of other cells that could also maintain this information. Other factors, particularly psychological, could also come into play.
Researchers hope these discoveries will lead to better support for people suffering from obesity. “Precisely because of this memory effect it is so important to avoid being overweight, because it is the simplest way to combat the yo-yo phenomenon,” summarizes Ferdinand Von Meyenn.
Source: BFM TV
