The Leptin Diet Plan

If you have difficulty losing weight, you may have developed a leptin resistance, which makes weight loss more difficult. Leptin resistance creates a hormone imbalance in the body. By changing the way you eat, you may be able to reverse this hormone imbalance and help you feel fuller and more satisfied after eating. Consult a doctor before making any changes to your diet.

History

"The Leptin Diet" was written by Byron Richards, CCN in 2006. Rather than focusing on fad diets that use low-calorie foods to lose weight, Richards offers a diet plan that focuses on restoring hormone balance in the body. Richards' theory is that when leptin resistance occurs, the body creates even more leptin, which may interfere with metabolism and appetite. Other diets based on eliminating leptin resistance in the body include "The Fat Resistance Diet" by Leo Galland, also published in 2006.

Significance

Leptin is released by the fat cells in the body, according to EveryDiet.org in the article "Leptin Diet." The more fat cells you have, the more leptin is released in the body. But even if you have made a decision to lose weight, you may have difficulty because your leptin levels are higher than they should be, causing inflammation in the body, according to Leo Galland in his book "The Fat Resistance Diet: Unlock the Secret of the Hormone Leptin."

Leptin Diet Rules

Richards instructs Leptin Diet followers to eat dinner three hours before going to bed, and never to go to bed with a full stomach. Additionally, Richard suggests eating three meals a day and waiting between five and six hours before eating your next meal, according to his official website, WellnessResources.com. Eat a breakfast that contains protein and eat fewer carbohydrates to reduce your leptin production.

Sample Meals

According to EveryDiet.org a sample meal that includes the principles of the Leptin Diet is a high-fiber cereal with soy milk, 1/2 cup berries, 2 scoops of whey powder and 1/4 cup walnuts. For lunch or dinner, EveryDiet.org suggests 1/4 cup nuts, a large avocado, 1 tbsp. of olive oil mixed with 1 cup vegetables, salmon spiced with ginger, turmeric and cumin, brown rice mixed with 1 tbsp. flax seeds and an apple for dessert.

Expert Insight

According to MayoClinic.com, balancing leptin production may help you manage your appetite. The foods you eat and what time of day you eat them may determine how hungry or satisfied you feel, so the science behind the Leptin Diet may be accurate. Stress may also affect leptin levels, notes MayoClinic.com.