Leptin sensitivity is a topic that has become near and dear to my heart. In this article I will teach you what leptin is, what it does and why leptin sensitivity matters. My request is that you take this information to heart and use it in your own nutrition plan.
What is Leptin?
Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells. It works through the brain to manage your appetite and your metabolism. Leptin causes the central nervous system to kick into gear and take action to control appetite and metabolism by working closely with the insulin response in your brain. This hormone has been shown to even make people more likely to exercise.
What Leptin Does
Leptin works to signal your brain to stop eating. It is present in the blood stream as a messenger that our appetite should be shut down. As people go on a diet and start to lose fat, their leptin levels drop. That will eventually slow the fat loss. Your body will sense that the leptin levels have dropped and it will assume that your metabolism needs to slow down. This messenger is quite effective.
Why Leptin Sensitivity Matters
If your leptin receptors are overstimulated they will eventually become desensitized and will no longer respond to leptin. This means that your body will no longer be able to regulate your hunger levels and your response will be to eat–continuously. This is why leptin sensitivity is so important. If you find yourself hungry all the time, it is likely that your leptin sensitivity level has dropped. You need that sensitivity to be high so that your body can and will control your appetite. Without it you will gain weight (and correspondingly, fat gain as well).
How to Restore Leptin Sensitivity
The only way to restore leptin sensitivity is to remove the stimulus in the first place. This is done through changes in your diet. One protocol that has been recommended is as follows:
- 50 g. of protein within 30 minutes of waking up in the morning.
- No snacking or eating after 7:30 p.m.
- Begin by keeping carbs below 50 g.
This standard protocol will help bring back leptin sensitivity.
What has your experience been with leptin levels? Let us know in the comments below.
