Leptin is the single most important hormone that regulates your body weight. It is the boss of thyroid hormone, insulin, growth hormone, and adrenal hormones (like cortisol ). Understanding leptin opens an entire new world of possibilities to maintain and attain optimal metabolic function.

Leptin is known as the fat-hormone because it is made in your white adipose tissue, or stored fat. Following a meal leptin is released from your fat, enters your blood, and travels to your brain letting your brain know how much fuel you have on hand (like the gas gauge in your car).

One of the leptin problems encountered by any person who is overweight is that the leptin "gas gauge" is sticky, and leptin is not entering your brain correctly ( leptin resistance). This produces a false state of perceived starvation, meaning you feel hungry and your subconscious brain thinks your fuel tank is near empty, even though you have plenty of stored fat on hand. This causes you to eat more food than you really need to eat.

Leptin must be kept in a state of healthy balance for your metabolism to work correctly . This is a situation wherein diet, exercise, lifestyle (stress management), getting restful sleep, and various nutrients help to optimize the function of leptin in your body.

Byron Richards, CNN