weight & body fat

nutrition

TFAP2B

How Dietary Protein and Fat Impact Weight Loss (TFAP2B)

Written by Aleksa Ristic, MS (Pharmacy) on June 4th, 2020

The TFAP2B gene encodes a protein that regulates fat metabolism. One variant in this gene is associated with obesity and may determine your response to dietary fat and protein — read on to learn more.

The TFAP2B Gene

The TFAP2B gene codes for a protein called transcription factor AP-2B, which can control the activity of other genes. TFAP2B influences cell division and programmed death (apoptosis) [R].

Research shows that TFAP2B is active in cells in the early prenatal period, affecting how the brain and other tissues and organs develop [R].

More recently, the TFAP2B gene has been in the spotlight of obesity and nutrigenomics research.

The TFAP2B gene regulates prenatal development, metabolism, and response to nutrients.

TFAP2B in Obesity and Fat Metabolism

The TFAP2B gene is mostly expressed in fat tissue. TFAP2B overactivity might contribute to inflammation and fat buildup by reducing adiponectin and increasing IL-6 [R, R, R].

This gene also appears to increase the size of fat cells. Switching TFAP2B on in test tubes transformed regular cells into massive, dangerous fat cells that are characteristic of obesity [R].

Overactive TFAP2B may contribute to fat buildup, inflammation, and insulin resistance.

The Link Between TFAP2B Variants and Obesity

The majority of obesity and diet-related research focused on a TFAP2B SNP labeled rs987237. In a huge meta-analysis of over 195,000 people, the “G” allele was associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) [R].

The “G” allele was associated with 24% obesity rates in a meta-analysis that included 34,600 European participants [R]. Another large review of 16 trials found a link between this variant and waist circumference, which is a measure of abdominal obesity [R].

The “G” allele at rs987237 correlates with higher obesity rates, body mass index, and waist circumference.

How It Works

As mentioned, overactive TFAP2B can contribute to fat buildup by suppressing adiponectin, a crucial metabolic cytokine. The “G” allele may impair fat metabolism by enhancing TFAP2B gene expression [R, R].

Indeed, scientists observed higher TFAP2B expression in fat cells with this genetic variant [R].

Dietary Factors That Influence the Genetic Link

Fat

In a study of 642 obese adults, those with the “GG” genotype lost 2.6 kg more on a high-fat diet, compared with a low-fat diet. The “AG” carriers also preferred a high-fat diet, but the effect was less significant. On the other hand, people with the “AA” did better on a low-fat diet [R].

The authors also discovered a similar but weaker pattern for waist size (belly fat) reduction. Both diets were energy-deficient (by 600 kcal) and the participants followed them for 10 weeks.

People with rs987237-G are likely to lose more weight on high-fat diets.

Protein

One trial analyzed weight maintenance in 468 European people who successfully completed a weight loss program. Those following a high-protein diet regained 1.84 kg more per each “G” allele. On the other hand, the “AA” carriers did better on a high vs. low-protein diet [R].

Although high-protein diets are generally effective for weight control, they may not be suitable for people with rs987237-G.

Your TFAP2B Results for Obesity and Belly Fat

SNP Table

variant	genotype	frequency	risk allele
rs987237

SNP Summary

Primary SNP:

TFAP2B rs987237

‘A’ = not associated with obesity; better response to high-protein and low-fat diets
‘G’ = associated with obesity and belly fat; better response to high-fat and low-protein diets

Population Frequency: Around 28% of people worldwide carry one copy and around 4% carry both copies of the obesity-associated “G” allele. This allele is much less common in African populations (16%) and more common among Native Americans (55%).

Recommendations

Diet

Balance Your Macros

The high-fat diet that suited the “G” allele carriers had the following daily macronutrient breakdown [R]:

40-45% fat
40-45% carbohydrates
15% protein

To obtain enough healthy fats, make sure to consume:

A variety of nuts and seeds
Fish and seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Olive oil
Avocado
Meat and full-fat dairy (in moderation)

A low-protein diet worked better for preventing weight regain in people with this variant. To reduce your protein intake during weight maintenance, limit the intake of protein-rich foods, such as [R]:

Meat
Cheese
Eggs
Soybean

People with rs987237-G may want to increase their fat intake for improved weight loss and limit their protein intake during weight maintenance.

Coffee

Coffee consumption was associated with higher adiponectin levels in different clinical trials, which means it may lessen the impact of your TFAP2B variant [R].

Caffeine is a well-known metabolic booster. In multiple smaller clinical trials, caffeine (100-600 mg/day) increased energy use and fat burning. Paradoxically, the effects were more pronounced in lean than in overweight people [R, R, R, R].

It also helped maintain weight loss in two long-term studies with 2,500 participants [R, R].

Remember that a high intake of caffeine can cause adverse effects such as insomnia, anxiety, increased heart rate and blood pressure, increased urination, and muscle twitching [R].

Moderate coffee consumption may increase adiponectin and sleep up metabolism, helping you maintain a healthy weight. Beware of the potential side effects of higher caffeine doses.

Olive Oil

Healthy fat sources such as olive oil may enhance weight loss in people carrying the “G” allele. Olive oil may be particularly beneficial due to its ability to boost adiponectin [R].

In a review of 11 clinical studies, an olive oil-enriched diet significantly reduced BMI and waist circumference. Unlike oil in its natural form, supplementation with capsules was not effective [R].

Lifestyle

Regular Exercise

Exercise is essential for weight loss, especially for people with rs987237-G. It increased adiponectin and lowered IL-6 in a meta-analysis of seven trials and 250 obese children. In other words, exercise does the exact opposite of your risk variant [R].

Resistance training is probably the best strategy to lose weight. In addition to promoting fat burning, it boosts other beneficial hormones and components that suppress appetite, improve mental health, and more. These include:

Aerobic exercise (walking, running, swimming, etc.) has also caused significant reductions in belly fat in multiple studies [R, R].

Exercise may counteract your TFAP2B variant by boosting adiponectin and suppressing IL-6. Both resistance and aerobic training promote fat burning and weight loss.

Stress Reduction

In a small clinical trial, lower stress and better mental health correlated with higher adiponectin levels [R].

Stress is a well-known obesity contributing factor. It increases cortisol and dynorphin, both of which cause weight gain [R, R, R].

Additionally, stress makes the brain resistant to serotonin and dopamine, which may increase appetite and block the rewarding effects of food [R, R, R].

Stress may suppress adiponectin, increase appetite, and contribute to weight gain. Try to avoid it by practicing your favorite relaxation techniques.

Aleksa Ristic

MS (Pharmacy)

Aleksa received his MS in Pharmacy from the University of Belgrade, his master thesis focusing on protein sources in plant-based diets.

Aleksa is passionate about herbal pharmacy, nutrition, and functional medicine. He found a way to merge his two biggest passions—writing and health—and use them for noble purposes. His mission is to bridge the gap between science and everyday life, helping readers improve their health and feel better.

Disclaimer

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other official medical body. This information is presented for educational purposes only, and may not be used to diagnose or treat any illness or disease.

Also keep in mind that the “Risk Score” presented in this post is based only on a select number of SNPs, and therefore only represents a small portion of your total risk as an individual. Furthermore, these analyses are based primarily on associational studies, which do not necessarily imply causation. Finally, many other (non-genetic) factors can also play a significant role in the development of a disease or health condition — therefore, carrying any of the risk-associated genotypes discussed in this post does not necessarily mean you are at increased risk of developing a major health condition.

Always consult your doctor before acting on any information or recommendations discussed in this post — especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have been officially diagnosed with a medical condition.

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Content

The TFAP2B Gene The Link Between TFAP2B Variants and Obesity Dietary Factors That Influence the Genetic Link Your TFAP2B Results for Obesity and Belly Fat

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