Leptin Resistance 1

Leptin & Leptin resistance may explain why you aren't able to lose excess fat.

Part 1

*So, what is leptin exactly?*

Leptin is from the Greek word leptos, which means thin. It’s a hormone that is made by our fat cells – the more fat cells we have, the more leptin we produce. 

When it’s working properly, leptin is like a gauge that tells our bodies how much energy (fat) we have stored. The more fat we have, the more leptin is released to calm our hunger.

Leptin is also often called the CEO of hormones because it communicates with the hypothalamus – the part of the brain that controls levels of sex hormones, thyroid hormones, and stress hormones.

In times of food scarcity our body fat and leptin levels decrease, which increases our hunger drive, slows down our metabolism to save energy, and shuts off the reproductive system.

Here’s the main takeaway: If we have a lot of fat our appetite should diminish, and if we don’t have enough our appetite should increase.

The operative word here is should.