Keeping weight under a healthy range can be a hard task for most people and it feels like struggling with your body to lose weight even after months of healthy eating and working out. Well, the latest study has found that fat cells (adipocytes) possess a form of memory. This metabolic memory is not a cognitive type, but rather a cellular memory of experiences like inflammation, unhealthy diets and metabolic stress. And the stored memory can remarkably impact well-being and overall health in the long run, especially in obese people.

Also Read: Obesity: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

How Do Fat Cells Store Memory?

Epigenetic Changes

Fat cells are reactive to environmental factors and in obese people, epigenetic alterations happen (where DNA is chemically modified without changing the sequence). These changes like DNA methylation and histone modifications, impact how genes are expressed.

For instance, in obese people genes are linked to inflammation and insulin resistance becomes overactive due to epigenetic alterations. Even after losing weight, these changes can continue, making a “memory” of obesity at the cellular level.

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Inflammatory Memory

In obese people, fat cells release pro-inflammatory components like TNF-a and IL-6. Chronic inflammation makes the fat cells “remember” this state.

Thus, even after weight loss, the fat cells can preserve a pro-inflammatory profile, risking the person highly prone to developing metabolic disorders.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress

Obesity can destroy the mitochondria (powerhouse of cells) in fat cells. This damage stimulates the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which produces a chronic state of oxidative stress. Long-term stress can result in cellular component damage and can be “remembered” by fat cells, resulting in metabolic dysfunction.

What Are the Health Consequences of Fat Cell Memory?

Problem Losing Weight Permanently

One of the most annoying aftermaths of fat cell memory is that even after losing weight remarkably, the metabolic impact of obesity still exists. This makes it easier for people to regain weight owing to lower metabolic function and a predisposition to fat storage.

Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

The inflammatory response in fat cells can increase insulin resistance, which elevates the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even after losing weight. The constant release of inflammatory cytokines interacts with insulin signalling making it harder to regulate glucose metabolism.

Also Read: World Obesity Day 2024: Theme, And 5 Supplements To Help Shed Those Surplus Kilos

Highly Prone To Cardiovascular Disease

Fat cells in obese people often exhibit epigenetic changes that promote the production of adipokines (hormones released by fat tissue) associated with hypertension and atherosclerosis risk. These factors increase the risk of developing heart disease even after weight loss.

Increased Cancer Risk

Chronic inflammation caused due to obesity and oxidative stress can damage the DNA, increasing the risk of cancer.

Effective Strategies to Combat Fat Cell Memory

Follow Anti-inflammatory Diet

Following an anti-inflammatory diet packed with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants can help ease inflammation in fat cells.

Include foods like nuts, berries, leafy greens and fatty fish that can help lower the inflammatory memory.

Regular Exercise

Getting regular exercise improves mitochondrial biogenesis and lowers oxidative stress in fat cells, potentially withdrawing some of the cellular memory effects.

Intermittent Fasting

Several studies revealed that intermittent fasting can help reset metabolic pathways and enhance mitochondrial function, possibly lowering the negative impact of fat cell memory.

Conclusion

Obesity “memory” makes it hard to lose weight. Thus, it is important to increase awareness about leading a healthy lifestyle. Weight loss can be achieved through a sustainable approach that comprises gradual lifestyle modifications, regular workouts and stress management. Rather than depending on crash diets, focus on healthy habits which will help you lose weight over time and break the cycle of fat cell memory.

(This article is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna, Chief Content Editor)

Author Profile:

M Sowmya Binu:

With over 15 years of expertise and a Postgraduate degree in Nutrition, M Sowmya Binu is a seasoned professional in the field of nutrition. Specializing in tailoring personalized diet plans, she underscores the significance of a balanced approach to health, emphasizing the integration of medication with dietary intake for holistic wellness. Passionate about equipping individuals with knowledge to make informed decisions, Sowmya adeptly develops insightful content encompassing a wide array of topics including food, nutrition, supplements, and overall health.

References

https://www.dw.com/en/fat-cell-memories-why-its-hard-to-maintain-healthy-weight/

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03614-9

Cell biology of fat storage

Paul Cohen a,*, Bruce M Spiegelman b,*

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4985254/