WHAT IS LEPTIN?

Leptin is a hormone produced in your fat cells. Leptin sends signals to your brain to let you know that you are full and should stop eating. It also signals your brain to turn on your metabolism. 

The presence of excessive leptin has been linked to obesity. When there is too much leptin in the bloodstream, leptin sensitivity decreases because the excess appears to block the effective flow of leptin to the brain. The result is increased appetite and cravings, as well as decreased metabolic function. 

Since leptin is a hormone that is produced in your adipose tissue, there aren´t any leptin-rich foods that will cause your leptin levels to rise. There are foods, however, that can help to increase or decrease your leptin sensitivity. This may help to restore the way leptin signals your brain to shut off your appetite and begin burning fuel. The result is that you will eat less and metabolize foods more efficiently, which could result in weight loss. 

Having protein for breakfast is one step you can take to begin to restore leptin sensitivity. Fish, fiber-rich foods and leafy greens are also recommended.

Eating excessive carbohydrates and snacking may be your biggest hurdles to re-establishing leptin sensitivity.

By Sonia Marañón

DANGERS OF SKIPPING BREAKFAST

When you and your family get ready for school or work in the morning, you shower, brush your teeth, put on makeup or shave, but you may not always eat breakfast. The consequences of not eating a healthy breakfast don´t just affect you during the morning hours before lunch. It is proven that they have an impact on you all they long.

Work-related effects

Tiredness or likelihood of experiencing fatigue

Inability to focus

Higher chance of irritability or restlessness

Health-related effects

Greater chance of weight gain due to unhealthy snacking

Higher risk of developing diabetes

Increased possibility of high cholesterol

Higher potential for high blood pressure

Benefits of eating a healthy breakfast

Higher consumption of necessary minerals and vitamins

Decreased intake of fat and cholesterol

Increased chance of weight control

More alert and creative

By Sonia Marañón

DID YOU KNOW THAT…?

An avocado has more than twice as much potassium as a banana.

Cilantro may be useful to treat urinary tract infections and both the leaves and seeds aid digestion, relieve intestinal gas, pain and distention.

Broccoli contains twice the vitamin C of an orange and has almost as much calcium as whole milk – and the calcium is better absorbed.

Celery is the best vegetable source of naturally occurring sodium.

Fennel is anticarcinogenic and can be useful for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.

 

 

Green beans are diuretic and may be used to treat diabetes.

Parsley contains three times as much vitamin C as oranges, and twice as much iron as spinach.

Radishes have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc, which is good for the prostate and building the immune system. 

By Sonia Marañón