The Real Reason You Can't Lose Weight: Leptin Resistance

New excitement has surfaced in the field of weight loss as scientists have discovered a possible "missing link" in the quest to find out why so many people continue to struggle losing weight.

The phenomenon is known as "Leptin Resistance."

"Leptin Resistance" in the overweight, or obese, is similar in nature to "Insulin Resistance" in diabetics, and although not widely talked about, it's extremely common.

Many studies are pointing to the fact that this hormonal imbalance may have everything to do with being overweight.

Leptin is a newly discovered hormone, produced in fat cells. Its job is to regulate fat storage and mediate hunger.

Leptin Resistance occurs when the body is no longer efficient at carrying Leptin across the blood-brain barrier to the brain, specifically the hypothalamus.

In order for Leptin to perform its "weight loss magic" and control body weight and metabolism, it has to do so from the brain.

When brain levels of Leptin are low because the brain never 'hears' or ‘receives’ its signals, due to Leptin Resistance, food cravings and weight gain occur because the body believes that it is hungry and will go into a state of persistent fat storage while hormonally signaling for more food.

When you eat a 'normal' amount of food, your levels of the hormone Leptin increase to signal a sense of fullness.

You’ve also probably noticed that when you eat ‘normal’ amounts of food, you feel more satisfied, have less food cravings and just feel better all around. This is Leptin doing its job. Leptin is, in part, a weight management mechanism that is 'built into' your system.

Not only does the hormone have a hand in controlling the two most important factors in weight control; food intake and fat storage. But also sexual development, immunity, GI function, reproduction, the nervous system during stressful times, brain function and red blood cell production.

"NORMAL BRAIN LEVELS OF LEPTIN ARE ABSOLUTELY VITAL IF YOU WANT TO CONTROL YOUR BODY WEIGHT AND METABOLISM"

And The Research Proves It...

By restoring Leptin hormone sensitivity, weight can come off like never before and food cravings can be held in check. You can lose weight safely, and that's not all: thyroid function can improve.

In a study reported in February of 2009, when calories were restricted 40% for 25 days, significantly reduced leptin, thyroid hormones and increased corticosteroid levels resulted. Leptin replacement for the last 10 days of the study normalized the leptin and TSH levels.

In a University of Miami study reported in August 2008, leptin replacement in a 5-year-old morbidly obese boy with leptin gene mutation resulted in substantial increases in the rates of brain development with some skills increasing more than what was expected for his age. High blood pressure reversed totally as did high levels of insulin and fat abnormalities.

In another case study, a female with type 2 diabetes treated with Leptin replacement decreased her insulin resistance and lost weight.

Scientists have found that many overweight individuals can have Leptin Resistance. In fact, researchers at Harvard University say that "Almost all forms of obesity are Leptin Resistant…."

If you've been chronically overweight or obese, chances are there has been a hidden reason why you haven’t been able to lose weight.

You may be suffering from Leptin Resistance.

References:
Yukawa M, Phelan EA, Callahan HS, Spiekerman CF, Abrass IB, Weigle DS. Leptin levels recover normally in healthy older adults after acute diet-induced weight loss. J Nutr Health Aging. 2008 Nov;12(9):652-6.

Volpe SL, Kobusingye H, Bailur S, Stanek E. Effect of diet and exercise on body composition, energy intake and leptin levels in overweight women and men. J Am Coll Nutr. 2008 Apr;27(2):195-208.

Paz-Filho GJ, Babikian T, Asarnow R, Esposito K, Erol HK, Wong ML, Licinio J. Leptin replacement improves cognitive development. PLoS ONE. 2008 Aug 29;3(8):e3098.

Araujo RL, Andrade BM, da Silva ML, Ferreira AC, Carvalho DP Md. Tissue-specific deiodinase regulation during food restriction and low replacement dose of leptin in rats. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2009 Feb 10.

Ziylan YZ, Baltaci AK, Mogulkoc R. Leptin transport in the central nervous system. Cell Biochem Funct. 2009 Feb 9;27(2):63-70.

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