Leptin as a Surrogate Marker of Insulin Resistance

If we consider insulin responsible for fat production in the body, leptin is a hormone that controls weight and fat burning. When you eat food, especially foods containing sugar, insulin is released in the body and the energy from these foods is stored as fat. Leptin is a hormone that allows the body to use that stored fat. Interestingly, the amount of stored fat affects leptin. The fatter, the more leptin. So, you will burn more fat. But as you burn unwanted fat, leptin levels also decrease. As you lose weight, the level of leptin also goes down. Leptin is one of the hormones that was not discovered until 1994. Even now, scientists don't know everything about this hormone, so it's better to review the things we know about it that are useful to us as bodybuilders. Leptin is a polypeptide hormone that is produced in fat cells. Do not be afraid to hear the word fat at the very beginning. Fats are actually part of endocrine organs such as thyroid and adrenal glands. The more leptin you will have. Think of leptin as a regulator of metabolism and hunger. Leptin controls fat reserves and the nervous system controls energy homeostasis.

Autorentext

Melika Shojaei, MD, Subespecialista em Endocrinologia e Metabolismo, Irã.