Roughly since 2011, researchers at the World He alth Organization began to pay attention to the potential dangers of obesity. Since that time, it has already begun to increasingly acquire the features of an epidemic, and even children have become subject to obesity. A few years earlier, scientists discovered leptin, a hormone that is responsible for the feeling of satiety and can be used in the treatment of this disease.
A side effect of parabiosis research
The history of the discovery of this hormone is connected with the research of the American scientist Hervey, who was interested in the processes of parabiosis. This process is a biological splicing in artificial conditions of two, and sometimes three animals. At the same time, they have a common circulatory system, as well as lymph. Research of this kind was needed in order to study the interactions between hormones and fused tissues.
The scientist was interested in a thorough description of all the functions of the hypothalamus. As is often the case in science, in the course of his research, the satiety hormone leptin was discovered. Already by 1998, about 600 articles had been published about this substance.
What are the functions of leptin in the body?
Translated from ancient Greek, its name means "slender, weak". However, it cannot be called the last word. After all, its role in the body is very large. Leptin is a hormone that belongs to a special category of substances called adipokines. Unlike other hormones, they are produced not by the organs of the endocrine system, but by adipose tissue. Adipokines in the body have an informational function. For example, leptin is able to transmit information to the hypothalamus about how much more or less fat has become in the body after eating. In turn, the hypothalamus regulates the amount of food taken - increases or decreases appetite.
The functions of leptin cannot be underestimated. It helps to suppress appetite, enhances the processes of thermogenesis, that is, the conversion of fats into energy and vice versa. Leptin is involved in the production of dopamine. In the female body, leptin affects the regularity of the menstrual cycle. It also improves the functioning of the entire female reproductive system as a whole. In addition, this peptide is involved in enhancing immunity.
Leptin works in close cooperation with the hypothalamus. When a person eats food, it is with the help of the hypothalamus that signals are received that cause a feeling of fullness. The relationship between leptin and dopamine was discovered by scientists not so long ago. There are now suggestions that both excitement and the desire to eat something appear due to a lack of dopamine and leptin.at the same time.
Leptin levels and individual norms
Leptin levels may vary by age group. Also, the amount of leptin produced depends on gender. Before puberty, boys and girls have approximately the same amount of leptin. Then the situation changes dramatically. Since there is always more adipose tissue in the female body, the level of leptin with the onset of puberty in girls becomes higher. Estrogens also affect this indicator.
Composition of the hormone
Leptin is a hormone that is a peptide by design. It consists of 167 substances - amino acid residues. Most of this hormone is produced directly by fat cells. However, in addition to them, it can be produced by other types of cells. Namely, the placenta, the epithelium of the mammary glands, the gastric mucosa, skeletal muscles.
Elevated leptin levels as a factor in CHD
However, both low and high levels of any hormone have a negative effect on the body. The same is true for leptin. The hormone is elevated - what does this mean, and how can its amount adversely affect the body? First of all, high levels of leptin are a risk factor for various diseases. For example, increased leptin provokes an increase in longitudinal tissues and the deposition of various s alts in the blood vessels, which leads to coronary artery disease.
Leptin and diabetes
Leptin imbalance is relatedto many diseases. Another dangerous consequence of a malfunction in his work is diabetes. This disease, as doctors recently found out, is directly related to the hormone leptin. What is this peptide responsible for in this case? In a he althy person, leptin increases the amount of glucose excreted by external organs. It also reduces insulin synthesis in the pancreas. When the body has a large amount of leptin, it causes the production of a huge amount of insulin. Leptin also enhances the body's sensitivity to insulin. The hormone is elevated in those people who have a genetic predisposition or are susceptible to other risk factors that provoke diabetes.
Interaction of a peptide with another hormone
One of the main "partners" of leptin in the regulation of eating behavior is the "hunger hormone". Leptin and ghrelin (as this hormone is called) interact with each other, performing opposite functions. Ghrelin causes a feeling of hunger, and is suppressed immediately after eating. Recently it became known that this peptide also provokes weight gain in the long term. It is also produced in increased quantities during a stressful situation. That is why, after a tense conversation, you are so hungry for something to eat.
How leptin behaves on a diet. Hormone and satiety
Unfortunately, a large number of diet fans follow the rules indicated in them without properly assessing all possiblerisks for the body. Most diets prescribe a reduced level of consumption of carbohydrates and fats, in the exchange of which the hormone leptin takes an active part. What is the responsibility of every girl or woman who thoughtlessly decides to go on a strict diet, for example, the well-known "Kremlin" one? The biggest risk is associated with metabolic disorders. After all, this diet involves a significant restriction in the consumption of carbohydrates. In addition, fats are practically forbidden with it, and this can also lead to various endocrine disorders.
Many have heard that after a diet, weight can return, and even more. This is due to the fact that the brain begins to respond much less to leptin. In other words, after that, the reaction of the hypothalamus to leptin becomes several times lower. The recently thinner girl still constantly feels hungry, as a result of gaining even more weight. In addition, the brain, having received a sufficient number of signals about the onset of "hungry times" at the beginning of the diet, gives the command to spend as little energy as possible. Therefore, sports and physical exercises become a real test - and most likely, such a girl will begin to lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Is dieting good?
Of course, in the process of losing weight, you can lose a large amount of body fat, and at the same time in a fairly short time. However, leptin also falls. The hormone is elevated - what does this mean for someone who is going to go on a diet? Most likely, its level will drop significantly in the first week. Fat deposits will also go away - but is there anymeaning if the brain loses the ability to feel hunger and is constantly in a state of "emergency"? With the onset of leptin resistance, it is very easy to gain weight in the first days after the end of the diet.
People who are overweight or obese find it increasingly difficult to lose weight over time. After all, their body becomes less and less sensitive to leptin. With each meal they need to eat more, as their brain, which is already almost unresponsive to the satiety hormone, is sure that the body is starving. Leptin - the satiety hormone - ceases to be such for them.
The way to balance leptin and ghrelin
The only way to get out of this vicious circle is to do aerobic exercise. This will help to gradually restore the sensitivity of the hypothalamus to leptin. In turn, the hunger hormone ghrelin also returns to normal. Studies have shown that even half an hour of aerobic exercise helps to significantly reduce the concentration of ghrelin in the blood. Thus, intense exercise helps both to get rid of excess fat and reduce appetite.
To better manage the balance of leptin and ghrelin in the body, researchers make the following recommendations. Firstly, it is necessary to observe a strict daily regimen - go to bed around ten in the evening and get up at six in the morning. Secondly, you need to do exercises or other physical exercises every morning. Even a little physical activity on an emptyThe stomach has been shown in studies to help improve glucose and insulin sensitivity. And this is a good way to prevent diabetes.
