Leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite, was discovered in 1994 by researchers at Rockefeller University in New York. High levels of leptin in the blood have been connected to heart disease. Leptin is also connected to appetite, and lower leptin levels may help with weight control. The Leptin Diet is based on a diet book by Byron J. Richards titled "The Leptin Diet: How Fit is Your Fat?" Consult your doctor before using the Leptin Diet.
Significance
Leptin is a protein hormone that functions by regulating the intake and expenditure of energy, according to Medical News. It helps to regulate appetite and metabolism. The hormone is produced mainly in white adipose tissue -- tissue that stores fat for energy -- though it can also be produced in brown adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, ovaries, stomach and liver. The level of leptin in your blood is directly proportional to your body fat.
Features
The Leptin Diet helps your body get the maximum energy from the food you eat so you can eat less, without losing energy, explains the diet's creator, Byron J. Richards, at WorldwideHealth.com. Rather than focusing on calorie restriction, the Leptin Diet has five rules: Never eat after dinner, eat three meals every day, do not eat large meals, eat a breakfast that includes protein, and cut down on your carbohydrates.
Function
In overweight people, leptin blood levels are too high, but not enough leptin is reaching the brain, Richards says. This problem, known as leptin resistance, prevents the brain from recognizing that fat cells are overproducing leptin.
Considerations
During leptin resistance, although blood levels of leptin are elevated, the body still believes it is hungry and goes into fat storage mode, according to Leptin research. This results in food cravings and weight gain, and may lead to obesity.
Effects
According to the Mayo Clinic, high levels of leptin have been linked to cardiovascular disease. People with high levels of leptin in their blood, particularly in combination with C-reactive protein -- a protein that increases with high levels of inflammation -- are at higher risk of heart disease than those with lower levels.
Warning
Although the Leptin Diet is based on metabolic science, there is little research to show that the diet is actually effective for reducing leptin levels. You should consult your physician before using the Leptin Diet.
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