by Helen Sanders
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Supplements
I think most of us are looking for a “magic bullet” solution toweight lossnowadays, aren’t we? Five years ago,I lost 100 poundsthe traditional way – with lots of hard work and tears along the journey. I would have given anything to take a pill that would make it quick and easy!
If you’ve been reading my series on leptin, the so-called “obesity hormone” or “fullness hormone”, you’re probably wondering if leptin supplements and similar hormone supplements are any good. If you haven’t read my leptin series yet, I recommend it. Discovering leptin turned my views on weight loss upside down. It explains why it’s so difficult, for starters.
In this article I’ll cover everything you need to know about leptin – natural supplements, leptin supplements side effects, where to buy leptin supplements and most importantly, my in-depth leptin supplements review.
What’s the Deal With Leptin?
Leptin is a hormone produced by our fat cells. The more fat cells we have, the more leptin is produced.
Leptin travels through our blood to our brain where it sends a “full” signal. It also interacts with our tastebuds and reward system to make it easier to resist cravings. Elsewhere, itincreases metabolismand calorie burn.
This should mean that when our bodies have sufficient fat stores, leptin’s signalling chain will make us stop eating. However, that’s not the case. In the developed world, overabundance ofhigh calorie foodhas created something called “leptin resistance”. What this means is that in overweight and obese people, the leptin communication chain is broken.
Those carrying extra weight have lots of leptin in their blood however the signal doesn’t reach the brain. Your body may be over-fed but your brain thinks you’re starving.
The Controversy
There is a lot of controversy around leptin supplementation. For starters, leptin is a natural protein, the same as the meat, fish and legumes we consume in our diet. If we were to take a leptin pill, we would simply digest and break it down. It would never reach our brains intact.
Secondly, there are no true leptin supplements on the market for weight loss. In very rare cases where a person cannot produce leptin at all, they may be given a leptin injection by a licensed physician, however this only applies to a tiny amount of cases.
Most people looking to lose weight have tons of leptin flowing through their bloodstreams. Adding more will make no difference if they are leptin resistant. The supplements that I’ve selected contain ingredients which help to balance leptin levels and return them to normal. These range from herbal supplements to healthy fats to other hormone supplements.
Some of the above actually decrease leptin, which may seem counterintuitive. Consider it a balancing act. Lowering blood leptin in overweight people will increase sensitivity in the long run. However it may cause hunger sensations if not counteracted with an appetite suppressant such asgreen teaextract. (source)
What to Look for In a Leptin Supplement
We know now that leptin supplements sold online don’t contain any leptin but rather complementary nutrients to balance your hormones and metabolism. Research is far from conclusive in this area but I’ve picked the best ingredients to look out for when choosing a supplement to increase leptin sensitivity.
Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLA)
CLA has been associated with weight loss in many studies. It’s believed to have a lowering effect on leptin, in turn increasing sensitivity.
A study at at Ohio State and Purdue Universities took a group of diabetic patients. One group were given a daily CLA supplement whereas the other group was given a placebo.
Those who consumed CLA had a lower body mass than those taking the placebo. Leptin levels in the blood reduced along with blood sugar levels. (source)
Melatonin
Sleep cyclesand leptin are intertwined. Sleep deprivation is known to lower leptin levels dramatically, causing hunger and overeating. (source)
Melatonin is a naturalsleep-promotinghormone found in some “leptin” supplements. If you suffer from insufficient or broken sleep, this could help balance your system and keep your cravings in check.
African Wild Mango
You can find natural remedies to aid almost any condition nowadays, but what about herbs to increase leptin? One natural option comes in the form of a fruit – the African wild mango or “Irvingia gabonensis”
One studyhas shown a link between leptin levels, weight loss and an extract from this fruit named “IGOB131”. Over 4 weeks, the extract or a placebo were given to 40 overweight participants, along with a low fat diet. The group who were given the mango supplement lost about 5.6% of body weight whereas the placebo group lost about 1%.
L-carnitine
L-carnitine is a protein often found in bodybuilding supplements. However, it’s also useful for weight loss. It’s capable of balancing leptin and may make it easier to stick to a low calorie diet.
A study on overweight or obese premenopausal women tested a carnitine supplement against a placebo. The carnitine group experienced a decrease of 4.5% in body mass and lost 6.5% in waist circumference.
How to Take a Leptin Supplement
Leptin supplements should be taken in the morning with a large glass of water, unless they contain melatonin in which case you should take them within half an hour of sleep.
If you experience nausea when introducing these pills, you should take some food directly before or after your dose.Always consult a healthcare professional before taking any type of supplement. This is especially important if you have an ongoing health condition or take a prescription medicine.
Leptin Supplements Review
Side Effects and Precautions
As I’ve mentioned above, leptin itself isn’t available at the moment as a treatment for weight loss. If, in the future these type of products are developed, there are several side effects to keep in mind. If you have an oversupply of leptin in your blood due to excess weight and leptin resistance, you may also noticethese symptoms.
Firstly, leptin’s link with our metabolism means it causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. A more unusual side effect is the increase in urine output and perspiration. Basically when your metabolism rises, every system of your body starts to work in overdrive.
High leptin also causes insomnia due to its stimulant effect. This makes sense when you remember that leptin levels can be normalised with the sleep supplement melatonin.
Leptin also increases fertility in women, increasing chances of pregnancy. In fact, it’s used as a fertility treatment in some instances. High leptin also results in nausea in many users.
Some more dangerous side effects of leptin are a drop in blood sugar and risk of hypoglycaemia in diabetics. There’s also a link between high leptin levels and manycancersandautoimmune diseases. Further research is needed in this area but this is enough to convince me to balance my leptin naturally rather than looking for a direct dose with leptin pills.
Other Ways to Increase Leptin
An addition to supplements, there are many other natural ways to balance your leptin levels. A healthy diet high in protein and low in fat and carbohydrates is one proven treatment.
The Last Word on Leptin Supplements
The world of leptin supplements – and weight loss supplements in general – can be confusing. Even after my extensive research, it’s hard to pick a clear winner from the products I’ve reviewed. Each offers something a little different so it’s best to evaluate them based on your own needs.
If I had to choose,NatureWise CLA 1250would be first on my list to try. It doesn’t have a complicated list of ingredients – all you’re dealing with is conjugated linoleic acids. The dose is quite moderate too.
Have you tried any leptin supplements? What’s your favourite product from this list, or do you have another choice? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear from you.
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FAQs
What does leptin do for the body? ›
The circulating leptin level serves as a gauge for energy reserves and directs the central nervous system to adjust food intake and energy expenditure accordingly. Leptin exerts immediate effects by acting on the brain to regulate appetite (Figure 1).
What mineral stimulates leptin? ›Zinc might play an important role in appetite regulation and its administration stimulates leptin production.
What is the hormone that helps you lose weight? ›The hormone leptin is produced by fat cells and is secreted into our bloodstream. Leptin reduces a person's appetite by acting on specific centres of their brain to reduce their urge to eat. It also seems to control how the body manages its store of body fat.
Is there synthetic leptin? ›OB3 is a synthetic leptin agonist containing the C-terminal aminoacidic residues 116 ≥ 122.
Can you take leptin pills? ›Leptin isn't a vitamin or mineral. You can't absorb it from a pill. In fact, “leptin supplements” don't contain any actual leptin. If they did, your stomach would simply digest them before they could have any effect on your body.
Do leptin pills work? ›Leptin is a hormone produced naturally in the body that helps regulate feelings of satiety (fullness or hunger). Because of this, marketers commonly promote leptin supplements as a weight-loss aid. But these supplements don't actually contain leptin, which means they're unlikely to lead to weight loss.
How do you activate leptin to burn fat? ›Get Regular Exercise
Exercise is one of the best ways to build lean muscle mass, improve your metabolism and increase leptin sensitivity (similarly to how it improves insulin sensitivity). As your physical activity level goes up, so does your metabolic rate and ability to regulate leptin.
- Eat Protein At Every Meal. It is no secret that protein is an essential nutrient for our bodies. ...
- Get More Sleep. ...
- Reduce Stress. ...
- Avoid Processed Foods. ...
- Exercise Regularly. ...
- Avoid Processed Foods And Sugar.
In our study, vitamin A concentrations were associated with high concentrations of leptin in the overall population, and the same was observed in women that had low BMI, low body fat percent and low waist circumference.
What are the three female hormones to reset metabolism? ›According to nutritionist Rashi Chowdhary, you need to reset three hormones — prolactin, insulin and thyroid antibodies — for optimal fat loss.
How do I reset my hormones to lose weight? ›
- CHANGE THE WAY YOU EAT AND DRINK. Remove processed foods, refined carbohydrates, sugars and sugar substitutes from your diet. ...
- TARGETED EXERCISE. ...
- TAKE SUPPLEMENTS TO IMPROVE YOUR HORMONE LEVELS. ...
- CONSIDER GENETIC TESTING.
It's located beneath your skin, around internal organs, in the middle cavity of your bones. White adipose tissue serves as cushioning for various parts of your body. The amount of leptin in your blood is directly proportional to the amount of adipose tissue your body has.
What is the brand name for leptin hormone? ›Metreleptin (met re LEP tin) is a human leptin analog. It is used to treat the symptoms of leptin deficiency in patients with congential or acquired generalized lipodystrophy. This medicine is not a cure. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What medication is used to increase leptin levels? ›Celastrol appears to increase the body's sensitivity to leptin, a molecule that regulates appetite and energy balance.
Can I take leptin supplements to lose weight? ›Leptin resistance not only contributes to the body's ability to absorb more food, but also signals to the brain that the body needs to conserve energy, which in turn limits calorie burning. Therefore, supplementing with blood leptin levels does not actually lead to weight loss.
Are there any side effects from taking leptin? ›Side effects of leptin analogs include: Headache. Hypoglycemia. Weight loss.
What are the symptoms of leptin deficiency? ›Leptin receptor deficiency is a condition that causes severe obesity beginning in the first few months of life. Affected individuals are of normal weight at birth, but they are constantly hungry and quickly gain weight. The extreme hunger leads to chronic excessive eating (hyperphagia) and obesity.
Can a doctor prescribe leptin? ›Usually, a pediatrician will order a blood test, and that will flag if a leptin deficiency is the issue. In those cases, doctors may prescribe a leptin supplement to help regulate the hormone in the child's body, Stanford says.
How long do leptin results take? ›The Leptin test measures the amount of leptin in your blood and is used to figure body fat amount. Preparation: No special preparation required. Test Results: 2-4 days. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.
What mineral blocks fat? ›Calcium: It helps you burn more fat stored in the body. Prevents your body from storing fat. Makes you feel fuller for longer. Within the body cells, if there is adequate calcium, that cell will burn more fat.
Will taking estrogen help me lose weight? ›
Some evidence suggests that estrogen hormone therapy increases a woman's resting metabolic rate. This might help slow weight gain. Lack of estrogen may also cause the body to use starches and blood sugar less effectively, which would increase fat storage and make it harder to lose weight.
What foods should I avoid if I take leptin? ›When you're on the leptin diet, you're supposed to avoid artificial sweeteners, regular and diet soda, and energy drinks. You're also encouraged to eliminate soy products of any kind. Because of its emphasis on smaller portions and no snacking, some people feel hungry on this diet.
What food contains the most leptin? ›Halibut contains omega-3 and the hormone leptin which is more effective at burning fat or delaying hunger. Based on recommendations from the Satiety Index of Common Foods, halibut is the most satiating food after potatoes.
Can you inject leptin? ›In this study, leptin or placebo is administered by an injection under the skin, in a way that is similar to injections of insulin to diabetic patients.
What vitamins help you lose weight? ›Calcium, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin B complex, and vitamin C: These provide nutrients that help you function better all around. These also improve metabolism to assist your weight loss: Green tea: Caffeine and catechins in green tea and other products may help with weight management.
Does vitamin D affect leptin? ›This study showed that vitamin D administration is associated with an increase in adiponectin and a decrease in leptin level in ESRD patients.
What is the most important female fat burning hormone? ›Leptin is a hormone produced by the fat cells in your body. Its main role is to regulate fat storage and how many calories you eat and burn.
What is the female fat burning hormone? ›Leptin is a hormone with a key role in the body's energy balance. The level of leptin in your bloodstream is one factor that regulates your appetite, body weight and metabolism.
How do I reset my hormones to lose belly fat? ›- Add purslane to your salad. ...
- Do high-intensity interval training (HIIT). ...
- Skip the booze. ...
- Eat sufficient clean protein. ...
- Remove the most common food intolerances: gluten and dairy.
Leptin. The fat cells release a hormone called leptin. Leptin targets nerve cells in the brain, particularly the hypothalamus, and triggers a feeling of fullness.
What causes a big stomach in females? ›
Causes include poor diet, lack of exercise, and short or low-quality sleep. A healthy diet and active lifestyle can help people lose excess belly fat and lower the risk of problems associated with it.
How do I stop hormonal weight gain? ›Additionally, improving dietary choices, increasing physical activity, getting more sleep, managing stress levels effectively, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol are all ways to decrease and avoid hormonal weight gain.
Is leptin FDA approved? ›MYALEPT, a recombinant analogue (laboratory-created form) of human leptin, is the first and only treatment approved by the FDA for these patients.
What is another name for leptin? ›Alternative names for leptin
There are no other names used for the hormone but the gene, which encodes leptin, is known as the 'ob' gene.
In terms of weight loss, more leptin is not necessarily what matters. How well your brain interprets its signal is much more significant. Therefore, taking a supplement that increases blood leptin levels does not necessarily lead to weight loss.
What happens when you lack leptin? ›Absence of leptin makes the body think it does not have any fat whatsoever and this results in uncontrolled food intake and severe childhood obesity. In addition, leptin deficiency may cause delayed puberty and poor function of the immune system.
What happens if you increase leptin? ›Increased leptin is associated with higher body fat mass, a larger size of individual fat cells, overeating, and excessive hunger. In rodents, it increases energy expenditure by using brown fat for energy [7].
How to increase leptin for weight loss? ›- Get enough fibre. ...
- Limit fructose consumption. ...
- Consume complex carbohydrates. ...
- Eat protein for breakfast. ...
- Take omega-3. ...
- Avoid severe calorie restriction. ...
- Perform H.I.I.T (high intensity interval training) ...
- Get more sleep.