[thedoc (OP)]

Jørgen Nilsson  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hello,

Thank you so much for your show. I was not aware, there is so much I didn't know.
 
When you loose weight (fat), I have been told the cells do not disappear, but shrink in size. Do they not have a lifespan, so that if you stay slim for a number of years, the cells will die and disappear?

Regards,
Jørgen

What do you think?

[Nizzle]

Nope, the number of adipocytes (fat cells) stays pretty constant throught your entire life, even if you stay slim for a number of years

[CliffordK]

Liposuction can remove adipocytes.
Otherwise, the fat cells just get fatter and thinner.

[Bored chemist]

Matter of definition: there are not many 150 year old fat cells.

[CliffordK]

Matter of definition: there are not many 150 year old fat cells.

In Humans.

Does Whale Blubber count?

[RD]

...  Do they not have a lifespan ...

apparently 12 years ... http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=28959.msg301493#msg301493

... if you stay slim for a number of years, the cells will die and disappear?

Approximately 10% of fat cells are renewed annually at all adult ages and levels of body mass index.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v453/n7196/full/nature06902.html