Weight Loss Never Reduces the Number of Fat Cells
December 2, 2008 | 1 Comment
Weight loss is a complex issue. Almost everyone who loses weight initially can regain weight if they do not watch their diet and fail to exercise. This is because weight loss eliminates the fat from the cell, but the actual number of fat cells are still present in the body.
Once weight loss has occurred, these fat cells shrink and remain dormant. When appropriately stimulated, they can regain the fat. There is a lot of evidence indicating that all individuals are born with a certain number of fat cells – this number of cells does not drastically change throughout one’s life. The body has an ingrained memory since birth and will replace any lost fat cells.
The turn over of fats cells remains constant in most people. It is widely believed that people who put on weight regain the fat content in these cells. However, there are researchers who believe that many obese individuals also develop new fat cells which may account for many cases of resistant obesity.
For the past 50 years, the majority of drugs developed to fight obesity have been designed to prevent the accumulation of fat into the cells. Today, drugs are being developed that help prevent the regeneration of new fat cells and help conquer obesity.
Source: Nature, Published online May 8, 2008
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