Fat Cell Memories

Many people find it hard not to put weight back on again, after dieting. An individual's fat cells may be partially to blame. A Zurich University study compared fat cells from obese patients (before and after the fitting of a bariametric band) with samples from counterparts who had never had a weight problem. In culture, fat cells from the former grew faster than the latter. The fat cells did this, by absorbing nutrients more quickly. It didn't matter whether the fat cells were from currently or formerly obese subjects (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/nov/18/ability-fat-remember-obesity-drives-yo-yo-diet-effect). It seems likely that fat cells 'remember' past obesity and resist attempts to lose weight. That 'memory' can apparently last for years. This would make it very difficult for so-called 'yo-yo dieters', to permanently shed their excess pounds. Diet follows diet, follows diet.