All about Leptin diet
The diet is basically developed by Leo Galland. M. D. a physician with brilliant academics and a practical dietitian with lots of experience and access to the latest research. The advantage with Leptin diet is Leptin is a hormone secreted by the fat cells of the body itself and no external agent is involved. Leptin diet is more a schedule of time rather than any special diet per say. It, by adjusting the time of main meals, helps Leptin to be active as per the schedule of the body. It would be beneficial to take a peep into the theory behind the concept. Higher the fat levels higher the Leptin circulating in the blood. The brain adjusts the metabolism accordingly. As the fat level drops the Leptin level falls telling the brain to increase food intake and storing the excess as fat.
There are five cardinal rules to be religiously followed to get maximum benefit of the diet.
- Never eat anything after dinner. Leptin follows the circadian rhythm. It coordinates the release of melatonin, thyroid hormone, growth hormone, sex hormones and immune system function to do the daily maintenance repairs burning the stored fat during sleep.
- Eat only three meals a day giving 5–6 hours between meals and do not snack. During the day, the body clears triglycerides from the blood. Triglycerides block the entry of Leptin past the blood – brain barrier which is counterproductive. Snacking is required and is to be supplied by the body itself from the stored fat.
- Eat small meals. Three quarter stomach is the ideal. Eating slowly like the traditional French helps to generate the ‘satiated’ signal.
- Have a protein rich breakfast which can enhance the metabolism by 30% for 12 hours. A high carbohydrate breakfast does not do this. Insufficient protein makes one crave food before 5 hours for lunch and also late evening. 5. Eat only a small amount of carbohydrates as it provides easy energy and does not make the body to break down the stored fat.
A thumb rule to visually judge is a palm size portion of protein and same amount of carbohydrate as well.