Leptin

For years, researchers have been studying what makes some people eat more than others: What makes some people eat more calories than they need? What makes us feel full? In 1994 scientists discovered a hormone called leptin. This hormone is produced mostly in the fat cells (a small amount is also produced in the stomach) and sends a signal to the brain that says “We’re full now; we can stop eating”.

What a momentous discovery! The finding of a hormone which signals to the brain we are full . . . Think of the possibilities: If we can isolate this hormone and deliver it to overweight people everywhere, we can suppress their voracious appetites, make them eat less, and eliminate the suffering from the consequences of being overweight forever!

Of course, that idea turned out just as you might suspect–too good to be true. In fact there are extremely rare cases of leptin deficiency leading to obesity that can be “cured” with administering leptin. It seems to be a congenital problem and has been found in perhaps a handful of children.

Giving leptin to people who are overweight seems to do nothing. In fact, obese people already have abnormally high levels of leptin circulating in their blood. Why? It appears they are somewhat resistant to the signals this hormone sends. “Stop eating!” the hormone says, but the brain does not respond.

Is this information the beginning of a journey to a new discovery? A road that will lead to a new drug, perhaps? One that will help suppress the appetite of overweight people and finally give them the feeling of satisfaction; the absence of the drive to eat? Who knows, for now. It could be that there is a biochemical problem making some people resistant to leptin. Their bodies produce more and more of the hormone to signal “stop eating” but somehow it is not well-received.

Could it be a conscious overriding of the signal? For instance, do you stop eating when you are no longer hungry, or do you just keep going to finish what’s on your plate? It’s entirely possible to ignore the body’s signals. We know we can ignore hunger, thirst, or the urge to empty our bladder when we are in the middle of something requiring our concentration. “Just wait” we tell our body; I’m doing something else now but I’ll get to you soon! How often are you receiving signals to stop eating that you ignore?

Next time you eat, stop and feel what your body is telling you. Think about why you continue taking more and more bites of food once you no longer feel hungry. Once your stomach is full, your belt getting tight, your plate nearly empty. Are you overriding the signals to get in a few more bites of something that tastes good? To fit in dessert? To clean your plate?

Let your body work as it is intended to. Listen to the signals. This action could be the real key to your weight loss.