Connection Between Leptin & Insulin

According to Atlanta endocrinologist Dr. Scott Isaacs, "All your hormones affect one another. It's one big circle. When one hormone is out of balance, it has profound effects on all your hormones." Insulin and leptin are both hormones and your response to this relationship can prompt better health. Attention must be paid to insulin and leptin resistance.

Leptin Defined

Leptin regulates appetite and metabolism.

Leptin is a protein hormone that regulates appetite and metabolism. Discovered as a hormone in 1994 by Jeffrey M. Friedman and others at Rockefeller University, leptin has helped doctors understand obesity and insulin resistance. Leptin is designed to reduce appetite and start the fat-burning process when it is signaling the brain at a high level. Low leptin signaling will cause you to eat more and store more fat; this is called leptin resistance--it is resisting signaling the brain. Dr. Ron Rosendale says, "A leptin-sensitive individual, will reduce hunger, increase fat burning and reduce fat storage."

Insulin Defined

Type 1 diabetes is different from Type 2 diabetes.

Insulin is also a protein hormone. Insulin is secreted within the pancreas in response to increase in carbohydrates within the blood stream and an increase in blood sugar. The body has many cells with insulin receptors designed to absorb glucose (sugar) from the blood. Without insulin you could eat and still starve because our cells cannot get the calories within glucose without insulin. Those with Type I diabetes do not make any insulin and must replace it with shots or pumps. Type 2 diabetes is not from a lack of insulin but insulin resistance. Cells of Type 2 diabetes patients respond poorly to the insulin and their cells cannot absorb glucose efficiently. This poor absorption or insulin resistance spikes blood sugar levels.

Significant Connection

Its in the blood.

In his book, "Hormonal Balance", Dr. Scott Isaacs suggests that we improve our insulin resistance and leptin resistance: "Insulin resistance and leptin resistance go together. Follow insulin reduction strategies. . . . and your leptin action will be improved." Among the causes of insulin resistance are inflammation, aging, menopause, kidney or liver problems, low potassium, low-fat/high-carb diets, smoking, medications and yeast infections.

This is what insulin resistance looks like: body mass index (BMI) of 25-27 kg/m2 or greater, "belly fat", elevated blood pressure, skin tags, acanthosis nigricans (black, velvety skin rash or dark discoloration in skin around neck, under the arms, around belly button or in skin folds--like dirt that will not wash off), and polycystic ovary syndrome.

When you become leptin-resistant, your brain cannot hear leptin's message to stop eating and stop storing fat. The brain thinks you do not have enough fat stores to survive a famine. Leptin resistance causes your brain to forget where to put the fat you are storing. By default it ends up on the abdomen and on abdominal organ--your liver. Your liver become fat and hard of hearing; in response it dumps sugar from protein contributing to leptin resistance leading to Type 2 diabetes.

Warning

Interconnection in the body

The results of leptin and insulin resistance are serious health issues. The major complication of insulin and leptin resistance is Type 2 diabetes. Elevated blood sugars are an indication that your pancreas can't keep up with the demand on your body from years of insulin resistance.

Other complications from leptin and insulin resistance include hypertension, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, insomnia, gall stones, gout, fatigue, polycystic ovary syndrome, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Prevention/Solution

Stress affects insulin and leptin resistance.

Reversing insulin resistance is a critical step to achieving hormonal balance. Insulin resistance and leptin resistance are reversible conditions. Dr. Scott Isaacs makes the following suggestions. Lowering your BMI to 25 kg/m2 or your normal body weight can alleviate insulin resistance. Eating a hormonally healthy diet that is about 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein and 30 percent fat and improve insulin resistance. Reduce insulin resistance by adding Omega-3 fatty acids, low glycemic index foods, and potassium. Eat small, frequent meals and not between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. as this is the time growth hormones and cortisol (insulin resistors) are secreted. Moderate alcohol use and increased physical activity are certain ways to improve your insulin and leptin resistance. Finally, stress releases cortisol - cortisol is a "counter-insulin" hormone according to Dr. Isaacs. All the work you have done with diet and exercise is undone by adding stress to your life.