Immune Cells 'Remember' Obesity Long After Weight Loss, Study Finds

A decade-long study found that helper T cells can retain an obesity-related epigenetic memory after weight loss.

Researchers saw DNA methylation changes that preserve a pro-inflammatory obesity signature for years, even after slimming down.

The effect was observed in people with obesity, post-weight-loss treatment groups, a rare genetic disorder, and mouse models.

The findings link this immune memory to autophagy and immune aging, suggesting weight loss may not immediately reset inflammation risk.