The hormone leptin is produced by white fat cells. In another way, it is also called the satiety hormone, the hormone of appetite control, the hormone-calorie burner.
How does leptin work?
After eating, cells of the fat tissue send leptin to the brain region, called the hypothalamus, with a signal that the body is full, fat reserves are replenished. In response, the brain sends a command to reduce appetite and increase energy consumption. Thanks to this, a normal metabolism takes place , the optimal level of glucose is maintained for the development of vital energy.
What does this mean if the hormone leptin is elevated?
Many people suffering from obesity have a system of brain recognition of the hormone leptin. This means that after a person has taken food, fat cells sent a hypothalamus message that hunger is satisfied. Leptin comes to the brain, but does not receive a response. The brain continues to "think" that the feeling of hunger is present and gives the command to continue to fill in fat reserves - appetite does not decrease, the feeling of hunger continues, and the person begins to overeat. Fat cells continue to produce leptin to "reach out" to the brain. As a result, the content of leptin in the blood increases.
In what cases does leptin increase?
Scientific studies have shown that the level of leptin can be increased in such cases:
- during menstruation;
- during pregnancy;
- during menopause;
- with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS);
- after artificial insemination;
- during puberty in girls.
What threatens the increased hormone leptin in the blood?
If it is revealed that leptin is higher than normal, the following phenomena can be observed:
- suppressing the pancreas production of insulin, which leads to the development of diabetes mellitus ;
- decreases the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, arteries;
- thrombi are formed;
- various diseases of the cardiovascular system develop.
One of the most common ways to destroy the normal action of the hormone leptin are various diets.