Protein Quality, Adipose Epigenetics, and Nutrition in Healthy Aging and Weight Maintenance

Weight regain is a common challenge after weight reduction, especially when GLP-1–based treatments are discontinued. Maintaining skeletal muscle mass through sufficient protein intake remains crucial for metabolic health and functional ability, particularly in older adults. Current evidence suggests that different protein sources can distinctly influence adipose tissue inflammation, epigenetic programming, and the development of sarcopenic obesity. In this mini-review, we synthesize mechanistic and translational insights into how plant- and animal-derived proteins affect adipose tissue remodeling and muscle preservation, highlighting nutritional strategies that may minimize weight relapse and promote healthy aging.