Ghrelin and leptin are among the essential hormones for weight lossBut what role does each play and what can be done to maintain adequate levels?
Here we explain the role of ghrelin and leptin in relation to body fat, as well as the Habits That Help You Get The Most Out Of These Secret Weight Loss Weapons.
Ghrelin
Produced by the stomach, ghrelin sends signals to the brain that awaken our desire to eat. When calorie intake is reduced to lose weight, levels of this hormone increase. And they don't go back to normal over time, they stay that way, which goes to show why it's often so difficult to lose weight.
Fortunately, vigorous exercise helps lower ghrelin levels. That's one of the reasons why experts keep pointing to physical activity as an essential component of both burning fat and keeping fit.
Leptin
Released exclusively by fat cells, leptin is a type of hormone classified within adipokines. Its function is to interact with the brain so that we consume less fat and burn more calories. The more body fat a person has, the more leptin their fat cells release. However, too much body fat leads to a condition called leptin resistance, which causes the body to become desensitized to its signal.
It is therefore highly advisable to try to maximize sensitivity to leptin, something that can be achieved, in addition to losing weight naturally, sleeping properly and including plenty of berries and vegetables in the diet.