Role of Leptin in Women’s Health

Leptin is a hormone that is responsible for a number of things that happens in a women’s body and hence it can play a vital role in women’s health. It can play a great role in women’s reproductive health as well as in her neuroendocrine health. It also influences the weight loss or gain among women.

Leptin and Weight Control

By affecting women’s hypothalamus the hormone Leptin tells the brain when and if it is hungry. Woman’s fat cells secrete this hormone and this hormone can play a vital role in losing weight successfully. The hormone also alters the body’s glycogen storage and fat content which are the most important fuels used by the body for energy. In short if you have a large Leptin content in your body it will signal to the brain that you are hungry and you will be on the road to weight gain.

Leptin Resistance and Weight Gain

Even women who have some form of Leptin resistance tend to gain weight. Leptin resistance is just like insulin resistance. Some form of immunity is developed towards certain hormones by having too much exposure to these hormones. When a body is tuned to constant surges in insulin and Leptin the body gets adjusted to these surges and demands more hormone secretion. This is exactly what happens in the case of Leptin and a woman who develops Leptin resistance. The body gets tuned to the increase in Leptin secretion and signals to the body about hunger paving the way for excess weight gain.

Controlling Leptin Surges in the Body

Leptin hormone is produced in a way similar to insulin. The reduction of foods high in carbohydrates and sugary foods can limit the Leptin production in a woman’s body. You can also consult a health care professional regarding how to reduce your intake of sugars and carbohydrates properly for keeping your insulin and Leptin at reasonable levels.