Leptin (a hormone) is raised - what does it mean? Leptin - the saturation hormone: functions and its role

Approximately since 2011, researchers of the World Health Organization have begun to pay attention to the potential danger of obesity. Since that time, it has already begun to acquire more and more features of the epidemic, and even children are subject to obesity. A few years earlier scientists discovered leptin, a hormone that is responsible for feeling full and can be used to treat this disease.

Side effect of studies of parabiosis

The history of the discovery of this hormone is associated with the research of the American scientist Hervey, who was interested in the processes of parabiosis. This process is a biological fusion under artificial conditions of two, and sometimes three animals. In this case, they have a general system of circulation, as well as lymph. Studies of this kind were necessary in order to study the interactions between hormones and clotted tissues.

The scientist was interested in a careful description of all the functions of the hypothalamus. As is often the case in science, between the case in the process of his research was discovered the hormone satiety leptin. Already by 1998 about 600 articles were published about this substance.

What are the functions of leptin in the body?

In translation from the ancient Greek language, its name means "slender, weak". However, the last word can not be called. After all, his role in the body is very great. 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 fatty tissue. Adipokines in the body carry an information function. For example, leptin is able to transmit to the hypothalamus information 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 the appetite.

The functions of leptin can not be underestimated. It helps suppress appetite, strengthens the processes of thermogenesis, that is, the transfer of fats into energy and back. Leptin is involved in the production of dopamine. In the female body, leptin influences 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 improving immunity.

Leptin works in close cooperation with the hypothalamus. When a person consumes food, it is in the hypothalamus that he receives signals that cause a sense of satiety. The relationship between leptin and dopamine was discovered by scientists not so long ago. Now there are suggestions that both excitement and a desire for something to eat, are due to the lack of dopamine and leptin simultaneously.

The level of leptin and individual norms

The leptin values may vary depending on the age group. Also, the amount of leptin produced depends on the sex. Before the onset of puberty, boys and girls have about the same amount of leptin. Then the situation changes radically. Since in the female body there is always more fat tissue, then the level of leptin with the onset of puberty in girls is higher. Estrogen also affects this index.

Composition of the hormone

Leptin is a hormone, which by its design is a peptide. It contains 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, the skeletal muscles.

Elevated leptin level as an ischemic heart disease

However, both low and high rates of any hormone have a negative effect on the body. So does leptin. The hormone is elevated - what does it mean, and how can its amount adversely affect the body? First of all, high leptin levels are a risk factor for various diseases. For example, increased leptin provokes an increase in longitudinal tissues and the deposition of various salts in the blood vessels, which leads to coronary artery disease.

Leptin and diabetes mellitus

Breaking the balance of leptin is related to many diseases. Another dangerous consequence of a malfunction in his work is diabetes. To this disease, as doctors have recently found, has a direct relation to the hormone leptin. What does this peptide respond to in this case? In the body of a healthy person, leptin increases the amount of glucose released by external organs. It also reduces the synthesis of insulin in the pancreas. When there is a large amount of leptin in the body, this causes a huge amount of insulin to be produced. Increases the sensitivity of the body to insulin is also leptin. The hormone is increased in those people who have a genetic predisposition or are prone to other risk factors provoking diabetes.

Interaction of the peptide with another hormone

One of the main "partners" of leptin in the regulation of eating behavior is the "hunger hormone". Leptin and ghrelin (the so-called this hormone) interact with each other, performing opposite functions. Ghrelin causes a feeling of hunger, and is suppressed immediately after eating. Recently it became known that also this peptide provokes a set of body weight in the long run. Also, it is produced in high amounts under a stressful situation. That's why after a stressful conversation so much you want something to eat.

How behaves when dieting leptin. Hormone and satiety

Unfortunately, a large number of fans of diets follow the rules specified in them without due assessment of all possible risks to the body. Most diets prescribe a reduced level of carbohydrate and fat intake, in which hormone leptin actively participates. What is responsible for each girl or woman who hesitantly decides to sit on a rigid diet, for example, the well-known "Kremlin"? The most important risk is associated with a metabolic disorder. After all, this diet involves a significant restriction in the consumption of carbohydrates. In addition, with her, fats are practically forbidden, and this can also lead to various endocrine disorders.

Many have heard that after a diet weight can return, and even in a larger volume. This is due to the fact that the brain is much less responsive to leptin. In other words, after this, the hypothalamic reaction to leptin becomes several times lower. Recently a thin girl still feels hunger all the time, as a result of gaining even more weight. In addition, the brain, having received at the beginning of the diet a sufficient number of signals about the onset of "hungry times", gives the command to use 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 there any use for a diet?

Of course, in the process of losing weight you can lose a large amount of fat deposits, and at the same time in a fairly short time. However, leptin also falls. The hormone is raised - 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. The fat deposits will also go away - but does it make sense if the brain loses its ability to feel hunger and is constantly in a state of "emergency"? With the onset of resistance to leptin, it is very easy to gain weight in the first days after the end of the diet.

People who suffer from excessive weight or obesity, with time, it becomes increasingly difficult to lose weight. After all, their body becomes less sensitive to leptin. With each meal they need to eat more, since their brain, which is almost not reacting to the satiety hormone, is sure that the body is starving. Leptin - the hormone of saturation - ceases to be for them.

A way to balance leptin and ghrelin

The only way to get out of this vicious circle is to do aerobic exercise. This will help gradually restore the sensitivity of the hypothalamus to the leptin. In turn, the hormone of hunger ghrelin also comes 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, intensive physical exercises help, how to get rid of excess fat, and reduce appetite.

To better control the balance of leptin and ghrelin in the body, the researchers give the following recommendations. First, it is necessary to observe the strict regime of the day - go to bed about ten in the evening and get up at six in the morning. Secondly, you need to exercise every morning in gymnastics or other physical exercises. Even a small physical load on an empty stomach, as studies have shown, helps improve sensitivity to glucose and insulin. And this is a good way to prevent diabetes.