Diet Changes Fat Cell Genes, Not Just What You Eat
Adipose tissue gene expression in obese subjects during low-fat and high-fat hypocaloric diets
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
When obese women ate fewer calories for 10 weeks, their fat cells changed how they made certain proteins. It didn’t matter if the diet was low-fat or high-fat—just eating less changed the genes. They lost 7 kg in both groups.
Surprising Findings
Macronutrient composition had no effect on gene expression in fat tissue.
Most people believe low-fat diets are better for fat loss or metabolic health. But this study found no difference in gene activity between low-fat and high-fat diets, even though both led to identical weight loss.
Practical Takeaways
Focus on creating a calorie deficit rather than obsessing over fat vs. carb ratios when trying to lose weight.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
When obese women ate fewer calories for 10 weeks, their fat cells changed how they made certain proteins. It didn’t matter if the diet was low-fat or high-fat—just eating less changed the genes. They lost 7 kg in both groups.
Surprising Findings
Macronutrient composition had no effect on gene expression in fat tissue.
Most people believe low-fat diets are better for fat loss or metabolic health. But this study found no difference in gene activity between low-fat and high-fat diets, even though both led to identical weight loss.
Practical Takeaways
Focus on creating a calorie deficit rather than obsessing over fat vs. carb ratios when trying to lose weight.
Publication
Journal
Diabetologia
Year
2004
Authors
N. Viguerie, H. Vidal, P. Arner, C. Holst, C. Verdich, S. Avizou, A. Astrup, W. Saris, I. Macdonald, E. Klimčáková, K. Clément, A. Martinéz, J. Hoffstedt, T. Sørensen, D. Langin, for the Nutrient–Gene Interactions in Human Obesity—Im project
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