Leptin - Weight Loss, Hunger & The New Meghan Markle

The Hormone Leptin.
Initially, leptin was viewed as a hormone designed to prevent obesity, but several studies now suggest that leptin also signals the switch from the fed to the starved state indicating an important interplay between thyroid hormones and leptin.

Leptin is the newcomer in the area of hormone research. It’s like the Megan Markle of hormones- everyone wants to know more about it. Leptin is a hormone secreted by our fat cells which assists in regulating the appetite, and the way our body stores fats and utilises energy. The more fat cells we have, the more leptin, and this can lead to decreased tissue sensitivity, meaning the cells start to ‘ignore’ leptin signals!

When your brain doesn’t receive the "I'm full!" message from leptin, it thinks you're still hungry and acts to increase your energy intake. This can be much more serious than dealing with a few cravings; leptin resistance can lead to increased body weight, obesity and metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and poor cholesterol balance.

This one little hormone which can cause such a big fuss is regulated by several mediators, including insulin, Glucocorticoids and thyroid hormones. So if you have imbalances in these areas, this could be driving your out of control leptin levels up and stalling your weight loss.

Leptin Gene Mutation
Some people have a genetic variation of the human leptin receptor gene, this can also cause obesity coupled with hypothyroidism.

Studies have proven that leptin levels have more relationship with free T4 than TSH. So a simple TSH thyroid screen can really miss the complexities behind weight issues. And given that other hormone markers can drive leptin to unwanted levels, it goes to show the need for thorough and investigative testing.

Thankfully we can help. A gentle cleanse aka THe Healthy Hormone Diet Book /healthy-hormones//healthy-hormones/

Leptin and Hashimoto's
An interesting study showed that leptin is capable of modulating the immune response. Inflammation from autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's and Grave's disease induce leptin production and leptin has a direct effect on the inflammatory response.

This is one case why patients with inflammatory conditions have high leptin - and why when we treat the inflammation with correctional diet and herbal intervention, leptin levels decrease - and weight loss is possible.

What we often see….
Women with leptin issues often have suboptimal hypothyroidism, and try to losing weight without luck.

Their blood sugars are also out of range due to a carbohydrate rich diet, and often show their on their way to pre-diabetes unless they makes some better food choices.

Once we corrected a diet and addressed the thyroid hormones with nutritional and herbal therapies, women then started to lose weight due to lower levels of leptin.

DYI Leptin Resistance Quiz
Do you have any of the following symptoms? If YES, leptin may be a hormonal issue for you.

• Food cravings
• Hunger after meals
• Poor energy levels
• Weight gain (or trouble losing weight)
• Tests showed higher levels of insulin
• Cellulite

Solutions
Come see us. We use an individualised approach for each patient we see. No one-size-fits-all approach is used, as every case is unique due to genetic factors, medical history, diet now and past, age, gender, and nutritional status.

Once armed with these answers, we can optimise nutrients and supplement according to level of deficiency.

Your supplement program also must be supported with appropriate diet and lifestyle factors, and regular appointments to review your progress ensure you are meeting your health targets every month.

This is a really thorough approach - and is how we get such great results. In fact, most of our patients meet their health goals within 12 weeks of treatment!