Leptin supplements
Leptin is the most important hormone regulator of energy balance because its presence suppresses appetite, and therefore, has the potential to induce weight loss. In addition to minimizing the amount of food you consume by its release, it makes you more active in expending calories. Leptin levels are sensitive, and directly proportional, to body fat levels because it is produced by adipose (fat) cells. The hormone is, more specifically, produced by the OB (obese) gene; consequently, heavier people have more of it because they have more body fat, and people who have low body fat stores have less of this hormone. Once released into the blood, leptin circulates to the hypothalamus, where it blocks the production of NPY. This neuropeptide stimulates food intake and decreases the amount of calories burned while resting; the exact opposite of what leptin does. If the leptin is not delivered and utilized properly, a false sense of starvation can lead to eating while not hungry and when the energy (calories) aren’t needed.
Leptin Supplements
The term ‘supplement’ doesn’t imply anything other than a product that complements the diet. Exercise, healthy eating habits, and lifestyle choices are all important components to losing weight that cannot be overlooked because of a false sense of weight loss security that may come with taking a supplement. Taking a leptin supplement is no different. There have been studies done that have shown the effectiveness of supplementing with this hormone. Often, in obese people who are deficient in leptin, supplementation results in an increase of these stores; this has been shown to lead to weight loss in these particular people. Also, studies so far have shown that the supplement can help with keeping weight off, but not necessarily causing initial weight loss.
Drawbacks of Leptin Supplementation
Unfortunately, there is concern that the body can become accustomed to its usual leptin levels. As mentioned earlier, leptin levels increase with higher amounts of body fat. With high levels, the body is triggered to suppress appetite and increase energy expenditure. If for some reason this leads to dramatic weight loss, the body can go into starvation mode. Starvation mode is when the body reduces the amount of energy expended to account for the deficit in calories due to a decreased appetite. It is a natural and primitive response to decreased energy intake; the body has an instinct to return its levels back to the norm. Basically, lower leptin levels can lead to weight loss, but at the same time, if this is a sudden loss, then the exact opposite of what is intended will happen. It’s all a matter of moderation. Don’t use leptin excessively to lose weight rapidly because it will not stay off.
Controversy
There is still some debate about whether or not leptin supplementation is beneficial. Lots of studies have been done, but the results are inconclusive. There are theories on both sides of the spectrum: from those who believe leptin supplementation can help with weight management and weight loss, and those who don’t. Some people who are obese actually have a poor response to the action of leptin, and some studies have showed that when supplemented with the hormone, these same people lost no weight. This reaction was most likely due to the fact that their prior response to leptin before supplementation was insufficient, and with supplementation, the response was not fixed. For right now, the general consensus is to figure out the precise dose that will work for each individual eager to try it. As with most weight loss products or supplements, and all diets for that matter, the results are individualized and directions often can’t be given in exact terms that pertain to everyone.
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