Question: What is the function of leptin and how is it connected to obesity? Is it possible to increase leptin levels?
Dr. Blaylock's Answer:
Leptin is a special type of protein called a cytokine. It is mainly secreted from fat cells, especially from the fat found around our intestines. When we begin to build up this type of fat, the level of leptin begins to rise in our blood and this triggers centers in our brain (the hypothalamus), which in turn sends signals for greater energy production and less food intake. This causes us to lose fat weight.
There is powerful evidence that exposing babies and small children to even a few doses of MSG or other food-borne excitotoxins early in life can damage the neurons in the hypothalamus, which leptin needs to control obesity. We call this leptin resistance.
Because the signals between the brain and the fat cells are broken, the body continues to secrete more and more leptin, and leptin in high concentrations is inflammatory, causing inflammation all over the body — including the brain.
Two other things are known to block leptin transport into the brain: starvation and high triglycerides. This is one reason to limit your intake of sugars and high glycemic foods — they suppress obesity-controlling leptin mechanisms in the brain.
As far as increasing leptin levels, it will only work if the hypothalamic nucleus controlling obesity is not destroyed by early exposure to MSG. Lowering your triglycerides and avoiding a starvation diet will improve leptin function. This also reduces your risk of having a heart attack and stroke.
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