Dr. Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant at Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai (India), explains that Leptin is secreted from fat cells, and is a signal that the brain knows when the body is full of energy and needs to stop eating.
However, many people tend to ignore this signal, leading to obesity and chronic health problems.
In fact, many obese people are resistant to leptin, which makes it impossible for the body to recognize the signal from this hormone and continue to store food.
How does leptin resistance affect the body?
Dr. Manjusha Agarwal says leptin resistance occurs when the brain does not respond properly to the hormone leptin, which is produced from fat cells.
This hormone plays an important role in regulating hunger and the body's energy expenditure levels.
In a healthy metabolism, leptin signals the brain that the body has stored enough energy from fat, helping to control appetite and maintain a feeling of fullness after each meal.
However, when resistant to leptin, patients may feel hungry continuously and eat more, leading to excess fat accumulation.
Leptin resistance and health problems
Dr. Agarwal says leptin resistance is linked to a number of health problems, including obesity inflammation and an increased risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
She also notes that factors like lack of sleep, stress, and a diet rich in processed foods can make this condition worse, as they cause inflammation throughout the body.
Solutions to deal with leptin resistance
To minimize the effects of leptin resistance, Dr. Agarwal recommends avoiding processed foods, maintaining a balanced diet, exercising daily, and getting at least 8-9 hours of sleep each night.
A high-protein diet is also important for maintaining stable leptin levels.
Ms. Agarwal emphasizes that support from nutritionists is necessary to ensure a suitable diet, help maintain your figure and improve overall health.
