10.29.2009

Leptin--Fat Hormone (cont.)

It is possible that having poor sleep habits may exacerbate leptin resistance because the 'sleep hormone' melatonin, appears to be closely related to leptin.

Many overweight individuals suffer from sleep apnea, a sleep disorder. This may cause them to Wake up regularly in the night, and melatonin production may become impaired, which then impacts leptin.

The goal is to increase your leptin production without gaining fat. It then may make the hypothalamus sensitive to it. Which is a good thing!

If you give yourself one day a week to have treats it can increase your leptin production while not gaining body fat. This is really helpful in preventing rebound weight gain that commonly follows a diet.

On this day where you allow yourself to have treats, only have 1 or 2 meals with anything you want to eat. Do not eat all you want all day long!! Increased calories from this day will prompt the fat cells to produce more leptin, which then tells the hypothalamus to reduce your appetite.

To prevent 'leptin resistance' you should:
  1. Avoid excess sugar and 'bad fats'.
  2. Get regular daily exercise.
  3. Improve your sleeping habits.

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