Just when the majority of us have settled into the acceptance that exercise and diet is the only way to control body weight, along comes more data suggesting that other factors play a role. Leptin, a hormone-like protein, was fairly recently discovered in 1994 and has proven to be the dictator to the brain for a person to stop eating. Produced in your fat cells, Leptin was initially linked to avoiding excess body fat in that a rise in the hormone's level was found to decrease appetite and induce energy spurts, thereby promoting weight control. The medical field quickly produced a Leptin injection to enable their patients a renewed chance at better health. Unfortunately, when the excess weight persisted, further research indicated that obese individuals actually had an unusually high amount of Leptin in their cells.

Similar to a person's insulin resistance in Diabetes-Type II, we now know that while Leptin is produced in abundance by an overweight person, it is actually an insensitivity to it that creates the problem. So now the question becomes how can one increase the sensitivity of their cells to Leptin? As early 1968, studies have indicated that MSG (monosodium glutamate) can be physiologically detrimental. Most notably, Dr. John W. Olney found resulting lesions in the hypothalamus (the control center for appetite) of his laboratory mice as well as an onset of disproportionate obesity in his maturing rodents. Fast forward almost forty years and well over 150 studies later and the findings are unquestionable. While formal laboratory studies are not replicated on the humans, it is well known that our sensitivity to the exposure is five times more intense than mice. This based on blood plasma levels after ingesting glutamate in liquid form. Similar to the effect of MSG, aspartame (aspartic acid) is another substance that causes hypothalamus lesions. I am sure that you have heard that MSG is 'bad', now you know a few reasons why.

In addition to cellular insensitivity to Leptin, it is important for the person of average weight to be proactive in maintaining appropriate levels of Leptin before trouble strikes. Studies indicate that getting adequate sleep will help. At the University of Chicago, sleep researcher Eve Van Cauter found that sleep deprivation provokes activation of the hypothalamus. One particular case study of twelve healthy young men found that the most notable hormonal changes occurred in those who were sleep deprived. In turn, this prompted urges to binge on carbohydrate-rich snacks such as cake, breads and candy. A much larger study conducted by the University of Wisconsin and Stanford Universityhad similar results. In a group of 1,024 participants ranging in the ages of 30 to 60, those who slept an average of five hours per night had a 15.5% lower level of Leptin.

It is impossible to overlook the fact that in this day and age good health starts with weight control. If you find that you are not getting any results though your active efforts, consider finding out more about your Leptin levels. In the interim, get a good night sleep and start scrutinizing the ingredient label of your favorite food products.