Weight gain, or trouble losing weight is a hormone issue. One of the hormones that make it harder is leptin.
Do you have trouble losing weight, or sticking to a healthy eating plan? Then this is a read for you!
Today we are discussing:
⍤ What is LEPTIN?
⍤ What high Leptin looks like on a test result
⍤ LEPTIN QUIZ so so can see if it could be an issue for you!
Plus 3 tips to start combating it NOW!
Let’s talk about leptin
There is sooooo much research out there around the hormone leptin, and today I have a few interesting points to share with you.
The good news, when working with the body holistically, it often doesn’t matter what the specific trigger for an out of range leptin hormone is, as treating the thyroid system, and balancing the other hormones responsible for energy will bring leptin back into range.
What is 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 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, a holistic approach can improve genetic factors with cellular detoxification, allowing our DNA to express healthier genes through the science of epigenetics.
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.
Leptin Test Result
The image is a test result showing high leptin.
This patient also had suboptimal hypothyroidism, and was trying to lose 15 kg without luck.
Her blood sugars are also out of range due to a carbohydrate rich diet, and this result shows she is on her way to pre-diabetes unless she makes some better food choices.
Once we corrected her diet and addressed the thyroid hormones with nutritional and herbal therapies, she then started to lose weight due to lower levels of leptin – and she was stoked!
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 – particularly the evening meal
- Poor energy levels
- Weight gain (or trouble losing weight)
- Tests showed higher levels of insulin
- Cellulite
Tips to start reducing high leptin today
Tip #1. Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet.
Inflammation can make all our hormones work sub-optimally, and many people do not truly understand the consequence of their daily diet. In fact, 99% of people we see believe they have a healthy diet, yet they are eating in a way that is affecting their hormones negatively.
The best way to eat to reduce inflammation is by following a food intolerance report. It is practically impossible to know which foods are driving inflammation, because food intolerances can be all manner of HEALTHY foods!
Here is an example of food intolerance report showing the inflammatory foods by the colour red.
Tip #2
Eat a Leptin friendly breakfast.
Eat foods that supply 20 to 30 grams of protein for breakfast.
For example:
- 2 large free range eggs and 2 slices bacon.
- 25g protein powder in a smoothie.
- 1 tin of tuna
Tip #3 Balance your Thyroid
Leptin, ghrelin, cortisol, melatonin and blood sugars all respond to the thyroid hormones. The thyroid needs to be working optimally to assist hormonal harmony. Because standard testing only picks up thyroid diseases, more sensitive screening is required if you have any signs and symptoms – even if your GP results came back as normal.
The top 3 health wishes we help our client achieve are;
- Weight Loss
- More energy
- No more brain fog
Are any of your goals the same?
If they are, than you know we are in the best position to help YOU achieve them!
Simply book in a 15 minute consult and have a talk to one of our thyroid, leptin and weight loss experts!
