What is Leptin Resistance?

What is Leptin Resistance?

The body has an elaborate hormonal mechanism to regulate appetite and hunger. One of the major hormones is leptin, which is a satiety hormone produced by our fat cells in response to a meal.

Once released, leptin signals an area of the brain called the hypothalamus. This signaling turns off the appetite, so someone will stop eating. As time goes on, leptin will decrease and hunger will increase, thus eating another meal.

This hormonal system, when balanced, helps the body maintain a normal weight. When someone gains considerable weight, the fat cells release more and more leptin.

As a result, the brain stops responding to the increased leptin signal. This can lead to feeling hungry all the time, with an exaggerated appetite, leading to more weight gain. This full but still feel hungry phenomenon has nothing to do with willpower. It is referred to as leptin resistance.

This process sets ups a vicious cycle that is very hard to correct. Simply cutting calories is not going to work over the long term. It has more to do with what you eat as opposed to how much you eat.

Focus on low glycemic load foods, such as protein, vegetables, nuts and seeds. This will help lower insulin, which will in turn help to lower leptin and break the vicious cycle.

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