
Leptin Resistance: The Other Hormone Important for Managing Diabetes | Everyday Health
Eating a Mediterranean-style diet with lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats can help increase leptin sensitivity.
When most people think of diabetes and hormones, insulin which controls blood sugar levels by ferrying glucose to cells for energy is usually the first that springs to mind. But there are many hormones at play when it comes to blood sugar levels and weight, and anyone living with diabetes or prediabetes should consider them all when striving to better manage their symptoms. Key among these is leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells that helps the body regulate energy by telling the brain its had enough to eat, according to a review published in December 2012 in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism .
Leptins action is to inhibit appetite, to stimulate the burning up of fatty acids, to decrease glucose, and to reduce overall body fat and weight, says VandanaSheth, RDN, CDE , a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The problem, Sheth explains, is, just like insulin resistance whereby cells are resistant to insulin, leading glucose to accumulate in the blood people can develop leptin resistance, an effect that can further complicate their diabetes management .
When this occurs, Sheth says, People can gain weight, have increased body fat, and, even though there are adequate fat stores, their brains are getting the signal that they are hungry, so they eat more. It's a vicious cycle.
Unfortunately, just adding more leptin, as people with diabetes often do with insulin injections , cant fix this problem because the issu
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