What role does the hormone leptin play in the body?

Leptin is a fat cell hormone that influences energy, metabolic and neuroendocrine responses in the human body. It causes the development of diabetes and diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

If the level of leptin in the blood is increased, then this will lead to an increase in body weight due to the deposition of adipose tissue. When functioning normally, it depresses appetite-stimulating areas in the brain.

The human body produces a substance in two ways:

  1. The first step is the production of fat cells. This is a long term process. The more of these cells a person has, the more he produces leptin. Fat people still produce a lot of it, but the receptors in the brain have become resistant to it. To reduce weight, you need to develop sensitivity to the production of this substance.
  2. The second pathway of the hormone is via insulin. In the process of entering the body of foods rich in proteins and carbohydrates, insulin begins to be produced together with leptin. The more insulin is produced, the more leptin is produced. When the body is in dire need of the need for insulin, then the level of the hormone rises and remains at this indicator for almost a day and a half.

The production of a substance is related to the amount of food that enters the body. When overeating, the level of the hormone increases, while following the diet, it decreases. The human body has a large reserve of potential.

If a person eats enough, the hormone prevents the accumulation of adipose tissue. On the other hand, leptin stores fat tissue so that the body can survive and reproduce.

In many people who are overweight, the production system of the substance is broken and insensitive, and then the brain cannot control when it is enough to accumulate fat. Fat cells send the hormone to the hypothalamus and notify of their sufficient amount, but it reaches the receptors and does not receive feedback.

The brain still accumulates fat and perceives the situation as hungry. This is the catch during the diet, the body constantly wants to eat.

Functions performed by the hormone

It is produced by fat cells and performs many functions in the body:

  • participates in the metabolism and accumulation of adipose tissue;
  • reduces appetite;
  • alters the metabolism of glucose and fats;
  • increases energy consumption;
  • overweight in a person indicates a high content of leptin;
  • when the hormone is normal, it reduces the feeling of hunger, which is formed in the hypothalamus;
  • after rapid weight loss through diet, leptin levels decrease, hunger increases, and body weight returns to its previous level.

Medications to reduce appetite

Leptin, found in diet pills, helps reduce appetite. Weight loss drugs are quite serious chemical compounds that affect the hypothalamus, which is responsible for hormone production, appetite and the digestive tract.

This type of medication should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor and in case of severe obesity. Drugs do not affect a certain area of ​​the brain, but the entire nervous system, undermining health. Also, diet pills have many side effects and contraindications for use.

Leptin deficiency symptoms:

  • Violation of gene reactions associated with hereditary predisposition;
  • As a result of this, a person experiences a feeling of hunger all the time;
  • Increases body weight;
  • Diabetes and diseases of the heart and blood vessels develop;
  • Sexual development is delayed.

Reasons for fluctuating leptin levels:

  • Frequent use of diets;
  • Increased consumption of fatty foods;
  • When it is elevated, it causes diabetes, hypertension, ischemia;
  • During menopause, critical days, the level of the hormone increases.

Conclusion on the topic

Leptin is an important hormone for humans and is involved in all processes. It is responsible for the energy potential and for the feeling of fullness. It is also called the hormone for weight loss. Through fat cells, it sends a signal to the brain that the body is full and no longer needs food, but only an increase in energy consumption.

Diet pills normalize hormone levels and reduce hunger. The norm of the hormone is determined by the age category and gender characteristics. In the fairer sex, the hormone is higher in the blood than in men.

Therefore, it is harder for a woman to lose weight. A normal level of leptin in the blood is the key not only to a beautiful and slim figure, but also to longevity and health. Caffeine promotes a decrease in the hormone, which will help avoid the accumulation of adipose tissue and increase in body weight.