The leptin it’s a hormone produced by fat cells that helps control the feeling of hunger, the amount of fat stored in the body and body weight, according to the National Cancer Institute.
This hormone is the responsible for generating the satiety signal in the brain and, at the same time, the one in charge of increasing or reducing energy consumption. “It stimulates the hypothalamus by sending a signal that there is sufficient adipose tissue, thus causing a reduction in food intake and an increase in energy expenditure,” indicates the Scielo website.
If its blood levels remain consistently low, it could cause a drop in basal metabolic rate, i.e. the energy that the body expends at rest, and cause an increased appetite and ever decreasing expenditure of the body, among other health problems.
How to activate leptin?
Leptin is a complex hormone that can aid in weight loss provided there is no disease causing resistance to its action, as occurs in many obese people who have high levels of circulating leptin but do not respond to its effect as they should.
Avoid strict diets or fasts
Leptin is released thanks to the presence of nutrients and energy, and signals the body’s energy reserves, therefore rigid or very low-calorie diets for a long time can cause a drop in its levels in the body.
regular physical activity
Regular exercise can improve leptin sensitivity, something that could be beneficial in people who suffer from resistance to the action of this hormone.
Avoid stress
Stress can produce several changes in the body, such as an increase in cortisol, which in turn can reduce the release of leptin.
avoid alcohol
Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption can help you lose weight in several ways, as it not only provides empty calories that can reduce fat burning, but also stimulates food intake by producing changes in hormones that regulate eating behavior and balance. energetic.
Have a nice rest
Sleeping little at night can be due to a hormonal alteration that stimulates you to eat more and reduces satiety, i.e. decreases leptin levels and increases those of ghrelin.
Source: Clarin
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.