Leptin, a hormone produced by your fat cells to communicate with your brain, was discovered in 1994. Leptin tells your brain that your body has enough fat; however, it may not tell your brain that you have too much fat -- a condition known as leptin resistance, which leads to a slow metabolism and feelings of hunger. "The Leptin Boost Diet" by Dr. Scott Isaacs outlines a program to balance all your hormones, including leptin, for permanent weight loss.
What Is Leptin?
Leptin comes from the Greek word "leptos," meaning thin. It was once thought that fat cells were simply storage for excess calories. The discovery of leptin has led to the belief that fat cells work together, like a gland, to control body weight, appetite, cravings and metabolism. When your fat cells make enough leptin and your brain responds appropriately, you may lose weight without hunger.
Stabilize Your Metabolism
Isaacs recommends eating small, frequent meals and never letting yourself get too hungry. If you get too hungry, leptin doesn't tell your brain you have enough fat. Your brain thinks that you're starving and will slow down your metabolism, putting your body into fat-storing mode. Issacs suggests consuming no less 1,200 calories a day to lose weight and about 1,800 calories a day to maintain your current weight.
Balancing Your Hormones
Eat foods that help your body balance hormones, including leptin. These foods should be high in unsaturated fats, such as wild salmon, nuts, olives, avocados and seeds. Eat foods that are low on the glycemic index, to help curb insulin resistance -- choose complex carbohydrates over refined sugars. Reduce stress, as mental, physical and emotional stress can elevate cortisol levels, another hormone that must be in balance for permanent weight loss.
About Dr. Scott Isaacs
Scott Isaacs, M.D., is a practicing endocrinologist in Atlanta. Georgia. He is currently the medical director of Atlanta Endocrine Associates and a professor at Emory University School of Medicine. In addition to "The Leptin Boost Diet," Isaacs is the author of "Hormonal Balance: Understanding Hormones, Weight and Your Metabolism," "A Simple Guide to Thyroid Disorders: From Diagnosis to Treatment" and "Understanding Metabolic Syndrome." Isaacs has been quoted in numerous publications and provided commentary for radio and television, including CNN and NPR.
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