Scientists uncover clue that could hint at why we regain weight after diets…

Scientists have identified a biological mechanism that may help explain why people often regain weight after dieting or stopping weight-loss medication.

According to The Washington Post, researchers found evidence that fat cells may retain a form of “memory” of obesity, allowing hunger signals to remain elevated even after weight loss.

The research, published in Cell Reports, identified a pathway involving TGF-β1, a signalling protein, and asprosin, a hormone that stimulates appetite. Researchers found that obesity-related increases in TGF-β1 produced lasting changes in fat cells that kept asprosin levels elevated after weight loss.

In experiments involving mice, persistently elevated asprosin increased food consumption and promoted rapid weight regain. Disrupting the pathway genetically or pharmacologically prevented the effect.

The findings build on earlier research showing that fat tissue can retain obesity-related epigenetic changes after substantial weight loss, potentially contributing to the “yo-yo” effect experienced by some dieters.

However, the latest findings are primarily based on animal experiments, meaning further research is required to establish whether targeting the same mechanism can safely prevent weight regain in humans.