Lipophilic Environmental Chemical Mixtures Released During Weight‐Loss: The Need to Consider Dynamics

Abstract

Intentional weight loss can increase health risk in the long‐term, despite short‐term benefits, because human adipose tissue is widely contaminated with various lipophilic environmental contaminants, especially persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Recently, chronic exposure to low POPs has emerged as a new risk factor for common metabolic diseases and cardiovascular diseases. The amount of POPs released from adipocytes to the circulation increases during weight loss, thereby increasing POPs exposure of other critical organs. Possible harmful effects due to release of POPs during weight loss are opposite to those usually expected from losing weight. It is speculated that this tradeoff can explain recent puzzling findings on intensive weight loss. The presence of POPs in adipose tissue adds a challenge to weight management and an optimal strategy of weight management needs to consider both fat mass and dynamics of POPs.

Excretion of Heavy Metals and Glyphosate in Urine and Hair Before and After Long-Term Fasting in Humans

“…It could be hypothesized that pollutants that were accumulated in the fat tissue are slowly released during long-term fasting. In another study, calorie restriction-induced weight loss provoked a release of persistent organic pollutants from adipocytes and increased their levels in the circulation ( 45 ). It was reported that the increase of toxic chemicals in serum is proportional to the weight loss ( 45 ).…”

“…In another study, calorie restriction-induced weight loss provoked a release of persistent organic pollutants from adipocytes and increased their levels in the circulation ( 45 ). It was reported that the increase of toxic chemicals in serum is proportional to the weight loss ( 45 ). A weight loss of 10% was related to an increase of persistent organic pollutants up to 20% in blood over 4–6 months ( 46 , 47 ).…”

Can Environmental Pollutants Be a Factor Linking Obesity and COVID-19?

“…In this clinical trial, the intensive weight loss group failed to attain any benefit on the development of cardiovascular diseases compared to the control group, despite an improvement in many known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. 33 Therefore, the ideal strategy of weight management should consider both fat mass and the dynamics of POPs.…”

Weight Loss Strategies for Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Can Dietary Interventions That Reduce Circulating Persistent Organic Pollutants Improve Cardiovascular Outcomes?

“…As noted by Lee et al. in this issue, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) released from adipose during weight loss in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients may attenuate cardiovascular (CV) benefits [ 1 ] that should accompany >5% weight reduction and concomitant fall in CV disease risk factors. [ 2 ] POP contributions to CV complications is a valuable and timely topic to explore, given the slow rate of POP elimination from the food chain and epidemiological evidence that low dose POPs are additional risk factors for metabolic [ 3 ] and CV diseases.…”

“…[ 5 ] A moderate, rather than low‐fat, and largely plant‐based diet with intermittent fasting or caloric restriction is envisaged by Lee et al. [ 1 ] to facilitate biliary POP excretion, provide protective phytochemicals that induce or enhance cellular defense mechanisms, and reduce POP intake through avoidance of animal‐derived fats. Such POP‐targeted interventions may have additional benefits, such as reducing pancreatic damage and insulin resistance.…”