There is a question that torments those who have lost a lot of weight: how long will it last? The scale shows a number that satisfies us, yet the fear of ruining our efforts is always lurking. It is not just a question of willpower. According to a new study, theobesity leaves an indelible mark on our DNA, a sort of the memory which works against maintaining ideal weight.
Even though we have won a battle, the war is still long. But to fight it, we must understand the enemy that lies within us.
A memory that is difficult to erase
The research, published in the prestigious journal Nature (I link it to you here), analyzed the adipose tissue of obese patients before and after a significant weight loss obtained thanks to the bariatric surgery. The results are surprising: even a year after the operation, when the extra pounds were now a memory, adipocytes still retained epigenetic alterations related to obesity. In practice, their “molecular memory” had not been reset, but continued to reflect a state of excess weight.
But what exactly does “epigenetic memory” mean? Epigenetics studies all those changes in gene expression that do not involve modifications in DNA, but which can be inherited by daughter cells. In the specific case of adipose tissue,obesity induces chemical alterations in genes involved in the formation and storage of fat. These “tags” make the genes more accessible and therefore more easily expressible.
Obesity, the obstacle on the path to physical fitness
The process occurs through particular modifications of the histones, the proteins around which DNA is wrapped. In normal weight conditions, histones “shut down” the lipid metabolism genes, making them silent. Theobesity instead loosens this grip, allowing for greater transcription. The result is aadipogenesi (formation of new fat cells) more efficient and a greater capacity to store fat.
Well, what researchers have discovered is that these epigenetic modifications tend to persist even when the excess pounds are lost. In other words, adipocytes remain “programmed” for rapid weight recovery, nullifying the efforts of diet and physical activity. This explains, at least in part, the difficulty in maintaining the results achieved over time and the high incidence of the “yo-yo” effect.
Winning the battle in the long term
As always, not all is lost. Knowing the enemy is the first step to defeating it. Researchers emphasize the importance of an integrated approach that, in addition to caloric restriction, includes strategies aimed at "resetting" the adipose epigenome. Some natural molecules, such as Green tea polyphenols and curcumin, appear to have a “memory-erasing” effect on adipocytes.
Obviously prevention remains the most effective weapon: maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoid the accumulation of excess fat is the best way to avoid having to fight this unequal battle. But for those who have already experienced obesity, knowing that they have one more enemy to face can be the first step towards a more conscious and, ultimately, winning strategy.
The epigenetic memory of obesity reminds us that Our past literally weighs on our metabolic future. But with the right weapons, we can rewrite the fate of our fat cells and achieve lasting fitness. Research is opening up new avenues, and it’s up to us to follow them to the end.
