

Leptin is carried by the bloodstream into your brain, where it sends a signal to the hypothalamus - the part that controls when and how much you eat ( 8). The more body fat they carry, the more leptin they produce ( 7).

Leptin is produced by your body’s fat cells. Its main role is to regulate fat storage and how many calories you eat and burn. Leptin is a hormone produced by the fat cells in your body. But something is broken in the mechanism that is supposed to prevent us from overeating. Today, leptin is very effective at keeping us from starving. The leptin system evolved to keep humans from starving or overeating, both of which would have made you less likely to survive in the natural environment. However, leptin’s main role is long-term regulation of energy, including the number of calories you eat and expend, as well as how much fat you store in your body ( 6). It also has many other functions related to fertility, immunity and brain function ( 5). Leptin is supposed to tell your brain that - when you have enough fat stored - you don’t need to eat and can burn calories at a normal rate ( 4). Leptin’s primary target is in the brain - particularly an area called the hypothalamus. It is often referred to as the “satiety hormone” or the “starvation hormone.” Leptin is a hormone that is produced by your body’s fat cells ( 3). Meet Leptin - A Hormone That Regulates Body Weight
