Leptin

by Lucia Stansbie

Leptin is an appetite regulating hormone made by fat cells, signalling to the brain that they are ‘full’ of fat reserves, in order to decrease appetite. Levels of leptin tend to be lower in slim people and higher with increasing body weight. Some studies suggest that people with obesity may have built up resistance to the appetite-suppressing effects of leptin, leading to a “always hungry” sensation.