TALKING ABOUT LEPTIN
Weight loss can be a hard journey and currently we are being told that reducing our calorie intake is the way to achieve weight loss. However, what we are not looking at, is the nutritional value in our food and how to feed our body with optimal nutrients. An example of this is consuming the same amount of calories in a chocolate bar compared to a salad with seeds, olive oil and avocado. You will receive more nutrients in essential vitamins and minerals than in a processed chocolate bar. If you are currently on a weight loss journey make sure you are filling up on unprocessed foods focusing on an abundance of vegetables, palm sized portions of protein and a moderate serving of healthy fat at each meal. Consume regular meals that assist with keeping your blood sugar levels stable keeping cravings at bay.
This style of eating will also support your leptin hormone to signal properly in your body.
Leptin is a hormone in the body that is made in the fat cells. Its main role is to communicate to the hypothalamus and indicate if more energy is required or not. The hypothalamus is a small part in our brain that is like a thermostat to the human body. If an individual is leptin sensitive, the leptin will be switched on to indicate to the hypothalamus that the body is well nourished and has good energy stores, thus there will be no strong hunger signals. However, in an individual that is leptin resistant, there is miscommunication in the hypothalamus, sending a message to the brain that leptin levels are low or none are present, creating constant levels of hunger.
Consequences of leptin resistance are obesity, chronic disease, fertility issues, hormonal and thyroid dysfunction. Individuals will find it really hard to diet and likely to regain the weight lost if they do not address leptin resistance. Individuals will also experience uncontrollable cravings for sugars and carbohydrates. Therefore, consuming good nutrient dense foods with regular meals will assist in healthy leptin signalling. If you are struggling to lose weight, talk to your health practitioner about how leptin may be hindering your success.