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A Healthier Way to Lose Weight
by Jeffrey Warber D.C., M.D.
The control of weight and the control of hunger occur in a few areas of the body. Depending on the person's fitness level these major controlling sites may change.
Inside the brain there is an area called the hypothalamus. There are different nuclei in hypothalamus that perform specific functions. The lateral nucleus controls is the humger center. the Ventromedial nucleus control satiety. These nuclei work together with other areas of the human body to control the feelings of appetite. If you were to destroy the ventromedial nucleus you would experience hyperphagia and obesity.
There are cells in the body that can affect these areas of the hypothalamus. The cells are fat cells. When a person is overweight or obese, the fat cells begin to secrete an imbalance of a hormone that throughs our appetite control completely out of order. This hormone is called leptin.
White adipose tissue is the body fat that secretes leptin. Leptin can function as a regulator of our fuel supply. Knowing that the brain allows or restricts energy production through the functioning of the hypothalamus, leptin in overweight individuals now disrupts this control. When the brain senses that the levels of leptin in the blood stream are high, it gets the message to decrease food intake and to reduce appetite. This then acts to tell the body's metabolism to increase. This in turn breaks down fat and uses it for energy. When the brain senses that the levels of leptin in the blood stream are low, our food intake and appetite are increased and we conserve energy.
There is a paradox to this system in overweight people. One would think that if overweight people have more adipose tissue, and therefore secrete more leptin, that this would help control appetite and reduce the urge to eat. This is not the case. In the American diet we are constantly surrounded by an abundance of food. Our foods are processed, lack nutrients, and are full of empty calories. If the brain does not sense nutrients to its satisfaction it will continue to ask for them. In this whole process of constant feeding, the receptors in the brain begin to down-regulate. That is, the brain now becomes resistant to the leptin signals. The large amounts of leptin secreted by fat cells will have very little effect on the control of hunger and the control of metabolism. This same mechanism of down-regulation of receptors occurs in other cells, concerning insulin receptors not leptin, leads to Type 2 diabetes. With this leptin resistance, the brain now produces an irresistible message of constant hunger. It is said that a sure sign of leptin resistance is the inability to resist eating at night.
Once this leptin resistance sets in, the pancreas will not receive its signal to stop producing insulin. This high level of insulin in the bloodstream will force the body to store calories as fat. This high level of insulin will in turn lead to insulin resistance and again to Type 2 diabetes. When one system in the body is altered it produces a chain reaction that leads to many problems.
The problems of receptor resistance can be reversed through starvation. If the body cannot sense its signals, it will up-regulate receptors. But who wants to starve? A proper weightloss and exercise program will accomplish this in a more safe manor.
There are various supplements that can support and assist the body with leptin resistance.
Calcium: Calcium has the ability to counter-act the brain signal called agouti which encourages appetite. This agouti signal causes the metabolism to slow which results in weight gain. Metabolism and thyroid function are improved with calcium intake. With proper intake of calories and daily intake of 2,000-3,000 mg of calcium, the agouti signal will be affected.
Vitamin D: This vitamin is a powerful inhibitor of leptin secretion from adipose cells. Vitamin D is also necessary for the absorption of calcium. 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily.
Pantethine (Vitamin B5): This vitamin makes fat available to burn. A daily dose of 600-900 mg has been shown to significantly reduce abdominal fat as well as helping heal fatty liver disease.
Essential Fatty Acids: Excess levels of adipose tissue lead to an unhealthy inflammatory response by the immune system. Omega-3 oils and GLA can reduce this inflammation. By adding 3-9 grams of these oils in the diet, one can reduce the inflammation response and support weight loss.
CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid): CLA is one of the most powerful nutrients known to stop leptin resistance. It also increases fat burning. Once a healthy state is restored, the body no longer needs to be supplemented CLA. The recommended dose ranges from 3-6 grams per day. It is IMPORTANT to take antioxidants like vitamin E with CLA, because CLA is an easily oxidized fatty acid.
Carnosine: This helps to control appetite as well as reduce leptin resistance. 500mg 2 to 3 times per day.
ALC (Acetyl-L-Carnitine): ALC is an amino acid that helps the brain correctly sense the amount of leptin that is being produced by the adipose cells. The dosage ranges from 500-2,500 mg. The most common dosage used is 500 mg twice per day.