Leptin: The Secret Key to Getting Fit

Leptin is a hormone produced by the fat cells in your body. The amount of leptin released from those fat cells is dependent upon how much fat there actually is. Basically, more fat results in the release of more leptin. Leptin essentially controls your metabolism, hunger, and energy expenditure.

What Controls Leptin?

Simply put the hypothalamus in the brain controls leptin. The hypothalamus is comprised of an elaborate system of leptin receptors. When leptin levels decrease, the brain thinks you are no longer fueled. Consequently, your brain sends a message that you are hungry, and your metabolic rate decreases.

So, What Does All This Actually Mean?

What it means is you need leptin levels to be in order if you want to be or stay lean. The longer your body is in a calorie deficit, then the lower your leptin levels and metabolic rate become. What this means is your metabolism slows, and it will be extremely hard to lose that last bit of fat.

   

On the flipside, leptin can also be your enemy. If you constantly eat excessively above maintenance levels, then the body can become leptin resistant. The more leptin resistant the body becomes, then the more the body tends to sway towards staying fat compared to lean. 

Also, toxins or other stressors in our body can result in leptin resistance. These can range from anything from our diet to lack of sleep.

What can I take/do to keep leptin levels in check?

• And the answer is that there are indeed some foods that apparently help the body become more efficient at processing leptin. How this works is not yet known - it is still being studied. But we do know that foods that seem to help include: Fish, primarily, then pulses (kidney beans, pinto beans, navy beans, lima beans, lentils), then other vegetables.

                                                  

    
            Studies have shown that people with high levels of fish in their diet have low leptin levels (their  

            bodies respond to leptin more efficiently, so the body doesn't produce as much leptin). In

            populations that don't eat lots of fish, leptin levels are usually higher, even when caloric intake,

            body fat levels, and weight are similar to those who eat lots of fish. After fish, high intake of

            pulses appears to be effective at decreasing leptin levels (again, increasing leptin sensitivity). After

            pulses, generally a diet rich in vegetables appears to aid in increasing leptin sensitivity.

           So there's your answer: fish, pulses, and vegetables. Nothing new, really...

• Too much or too little can be detrimental.
• Don’t starve yourself! Include a refeed/cheat every once in a while.
• Don’t go on long, excessive bulks.
• Avoid large insulin spikes and sugary foods.
• Perform high-intensity exercise.
• Get sleep.

 Leptin is quite possibly the most important hormone you have never heard about. If your leptin levels are not in check, then you will never acquire the leanness of which you are capable. Not only may you never get as lean as you want, but your energy levels, mental acuity, and performance may suffer as well.

 Come On!  Let's Grow Yout Own Good.  And Add It To Your Table Today.
Hydroponics Systems from Taiwan Chicfarm LED grower, http://www.chicfarm.net