These days a very interesting study has appeared, which explains a few more things to us about how the accumulation of excess fat works. Or how it is possible that some people tend not to convert what they eat into energy, but into storage fat. Do they just eat too much? According to scientists at the Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine at the Helmholtz Association, the explanation isn’t that basic.
These scientists have indeed discovered the existence of a protein that is essentially linked with the metabolism of fats. Those who lack it cannot convert fat into energy, but they store it more easily in excess fat in the body.

This protein is called EHD2, and scientists have found that it promotes the flow of fatty acids in the blood, so that it is converted into energy and not deposited in tissues. In short, this protein removes fats, avoiding their accumulation.
Dr. Claudia Matthaeus, who collaborated on the study, says she found that the same protein exists in both humans and guinea pigs. Those who are overweight or obese produce less EHD2, and this causes the fat cells to accumulate more fatty acids than normal and become larger. The result is excess body fat.

HOW PROTEIN WORKS THAT REGULATES EXCESS FAT

EHD2 is in fact a membrane protein, which is found in the cells of muscle tissues and in adipocytes (fat cells). This membrane protein is therefore found in the external part of the cell, and regulates its endocytosis, that is, it allows or blocks the passage of substances from the outside to the inside of the cell. When this protein is missing or insufficient in the cell membrane, more substances enter it. As a result, much more fatty acids enter the fat cells.

Why do obese people produce less of this protein?

But why do obese people have less EHD2?
One hypothesis is that these people consume too much fat in their diet. The body is forced to store them, and in the long run this reduces the natural production of EHD2 protein, with the result that those who are already fat will tend to gain more and more fat. Reading the study , I can think that at the moment the only thing possible for those who are already overweight or obese is to follow a reduced-fat diet. The fewer fatty acids get into the blood, the more chance there would be of reconverting this process, obviously also keeping the calories under control.