Leptin Resistance

What is leptin resistance? Leptin is known as the obesity hormone. It is produced by our fat cells and tells the body that you ate enough. It tells the hypothalamus in the brain how much fat you have in reserve and tells the liver to burn fat.

With this resistance, the two most important factors of weight loss are thrown off, food intake and fat storage.

It was Jeffrey M. Friedman's groundbreaking research in December 1994 at the Rockefeller University that first identified the hormone he later named leptin, after the Greek word Leptos for thin. He discovered that mice that lack the hormone and do not produce leptin are massively obese. After the mice were injected with synthetic leptin they became more active and lost weight.

The majority of obese people have high levels of leptin circulating in their blood. This results in resistance, when the body is no longer able to carry leptin to the hypothalamus.

When we consume a lot of drinks or food sweetened with fructose or high fructose corn syrup we develop insulin resistance and with our insulin receptors not working, we eat more, gain weight and in turn develop leptin resistance. 

Poor nutrition throws off the protective function of leptin. Also, some chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, are linked to leptin resistance and inflammation. A high level of leptin in the blood can increase inflammation in the body.

The Leptin Diet was created using the following 5 principles. Another fad diet which is on the right track, but not suitable for many.

The Leptin Diet

• Never eat after dinner. Finish eating dinner at least three hours before bed.
• Eat three meals a day. Allow 5-6 hours between meals. Do not snack!
• Do not eat large meals. Finish a meal when you are slightly less than full.
• Eat a high protein breakfast.
• Reduce the amount of carbs eaten.

Eating a healthy diet and exercising is your best leptin weight loss plan to bring leptin levels back to normal.

Hi, my name is Sue-Anne Hickey, I'm a certified naturopath, weight loss specialist and creator of Bodytypology. For over 28 years, nutrition, healthy eating , healthy lifestyle has been a passion of mine. I love helping my clients break through the barriers, that are holding the weight in place.

if you think that leptin resistance is what's holding you back from dropping the pounds you want to, let's chat! So you can begin your transformation, body, soul and mind.