Leptin is the Homer Simpson hormone.
That's the finding of scientists at Cambridge University. Leptin is what makes up feel full after we eat a meal, but these scientists have discovered that it also affects the pleasure zone of our brain. In short, if you don't have enough Leptin, it can cause you to overeat. People who didn't have enough leptin were shown pics of pizza and cake. Their pleasure centers went off. People who had enough leptin only had this happen when they were actually hungry.
This could give a huge boost to doctors and others who are trying to find ways to battle obesity.
[via TV Tattle]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-11-2007 @ 3:16PM
AK said...
The population of people whose obesity is due to leptin dysfunction is very small. I think a lot of people are going to seize upon this news and replace "big-boned" with "leptin-deficient" to excuse not eating correctly and exercising.
And yes, I know there are actual, non-diet related reasons for obesity, but let's face it, not everyone has hormonal issues (at least not before they gained weight).
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8-11-2007 @ 6:50PM
Lydia said...
This is true. I read a recent article in Time magazine ("The Science of Appetite") which confirmed the fact that a small number of obese people are leptin-deficient. For the rest, either they have developed a sensitivity to leptin production, or they have learned to ignore the cues. For those people, leptin injections were useless. Obesity is too complex to lend itself to one factor. Unfortunately, most diet programs neglect the psychological factors involved in seeking pleasure through food, which can contribute to obesity.
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8-13-2007 @ 10:36AM
dan said...
It not just "leptin deficient" it is also potential leptin receptor deficient. This comes from the evidence that ingestion or injection of leptin usually does nothing to quell appetite. Your brain cannot receive the message from leptin that you should feel satisfied and full. There are additional interactions between insulin and leptin feedback mechanisms.
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