Does leptin hold the key to weight loss in women

Does Leptin Hold the Key to Weight-Loss in Women?

www.slim-and-trim.com

What is Leptin? ď ľ Leptin

is a hormone that plays a "pivotal role" in regulating food intake and energy output.

ď ľA

protein which circulates in the bloodstream and goes to the brain leptin was discovered in 1994 and it was quickly touted as a weight loss treatment. www.slim-and-trim.com www.slim-and-trim.com

The Leptin Cycle ď ľ Some

researchers have concluded that leptin’s role is to enable fat cells to keep the brain up to date on their energy levels.

ď ľ When

leptin levels reach a certain threshold, the brain can tell that the body has sufficient energy and a person is able to engage in normal activities and is inclined to eat normally. www.slim-and-trim.com www.slim-and-trim.com

Starvation Signals ď ľ

However, when a person goes on a diet and their fat levels decrease, their leptin levels also fall.

ď ľ

This may be interpreted by the brain as a danger signal that the body is in a state of starvation.

ď ľ

The brain then inclines the individual to want to eat, so that the necessary leptin levels can be restored. www.slim-and-trim.com www.slim-and-trim.com

Leptin Resistance ď ľ

Under normal circumstances, when leptin levels return to their safe levels, the brain should then send the individual signals of satiety and incline them to stop eating.

ď ľ

However, this does not always happen.

ď ľ

Some individuals have what scientists call "leptin resistance", whereby the body has large amounts of leptin, but the brain is not being given the signal to stop eating.

www.slim-and-trim.com www.slim-and-trim.com

Leptin and Women ď ľ Research

suggests that woman tend to have higher levels of leptin than men, possibly because the hormone plays a role in female reproduction.

ď ľ It

is also likely that "leptin resistance" is also greater in women than in men, potentially making it harder for women to lose weight. www.slim-and-trim.com www.slim-and-trim.com

Leptin and Women ď ľ Can

women's greater potential for producing leptin ever be used to their advantage?

ď ľ By

reversing the modern tendency towards leptin resistance, some researchers believe women can dramatically improve their ability to lose weight permanently! www.slim-and-trim.com www.slim-and-trim.com