Leptin Resistance.

Leptin Resistance what is it?

Leptin is a hormone that is secreted by our fat cells. It governs when we get hungry and when to stop eating.

That's great if we have the right balance or amount of it in our system.

The problem is that we overweight people have high amounts of this hormone in our body.

What does all this mean for you and I?

Having to much of this hormone means our appetite does not get switched off. So we continue to want to eat. It also means that our metabolic rate (the rate at which our body burns up calories.) does not increase. Bad new for us!

If we don't burn the calories we all know where they go. Right!

So we have an abundance in our blood stream but the problem is the cells can't respond to the message leptin is trying to send out to them.

What is the link between leptin resistance and inflammation?

Obesity causes an inflammatory response to happen. Our fat cells trigger off an immune response. Fat cells attract a white blood cell called a macrophage. These cells are scavenger cells. Fat cells break open and these cells come in to eat up and clean up the area, but in doing so they also trigger off an inflammatory response.

A vicious cycle is put into effect. Our fat can cause inflammation and then our body does not response to the hormone leptin. Then the cycle repeats itself.

The answer to weighloss is, we must stop inflammation so our hormone resistance is stopped. Then our leptin hormone can tell our body when we are hungry and when to stop eating.

I find this truly amazing because I really didn't know the feeling of being hungry. I not only know that I'm hungry, but I can feel when I start to get hungry, and when to stop eating, even when there is food on my plate. This has given me a real sense of control and well being in my life.

Bringing inflammation into balance will also bring leptin resistance into balance.

Disclaimer: The information presented on this website is not intended to replace the advice of your Doctor. The information is for educational purposes. All health conditions should be treated by a health practitioner. This site is not meant to dispense medical advice, and does not assume responsibility for those who choose to treat themselves.