Insulin and Leptin Resistance – How does it contribute to obesity?

Insulin and Leptin Resistance – How does it contribute to obesity?

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Obesity is a medical condition caused by excess body fat. Several factors contribute to this complicated health condition. Among them, metabolic and hormonal imbalances can lead to obesity. Insulin and leptin are two different hormones that play key roles in regulating certain bodily functions such as metabolism, hunger, and energy balance. By any means, an imbalance of these two hormones can also result in obesity. 

• Insulin is produced by the pancreas. It is an important hormone because it plays an anchor role in regulating blood sugar levels by assisting body cells in absorbing glucose from the bloodstream. Cells use this glucose for energy or to store it for future use.
• Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells. Often this is called the “satiety hormone” because it regulates appetite and energy expenditure by sending signals to the brain. 

Both hormones are important; they play an integral part in maintaining metabolic processes, energy balance, and body weight. However, if your body resists their actions—known as insulin resistance and leptin resistance—it disrupts their functioning systems, leading to weight gain and obesity.

Causes of Insulin and Leptin Resistance

Insulin resistance or leptin resistance can be influenced by multiple factors. Research suggests that it is connected with lifestyle factors and genetic predisposition.

• Poor Diet—Consuming foods with high sugar (bakery items, sugary drinks), and processed foods (refined carbohydrates, cereals), unhealthy fats can cause repeated insulin spikes. Which overtime disrupts the insulin pathways, resulting in insulin resistance. Similarly, consuming unhealthy fats and calories excessively disrupts the natural hormonal signalling, which causes leptin resistance.
• Sedentary lifestyle—regular physical activity not only helps the muscle cells absorb glucose effectively but also improves leptin sensitivity. If you are physically inactive, these natural functions are disrupted, which reduces insulin sensitivity and also leads to leptin resistance.
• Chronic inflammation—inflammatory signs due to poor diet, stress, or other underlying health problems can also disrupt insulin functions and leptin brain signalling.   
• Sleep deprivation and stress—poor sleep and chronic stress have a negative impact on the body’s hormonal and metabolic systems. Overtime, this contributes to increased appetite and weight gain
• Genetics—if your family members have a history of insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, then you are at increased risk of gaining weight.
• Hormonal imbalances—conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid dysfunctions, and elevated cortisol levels—can also contribute to metabolic dysfunction and impair insulin function.

How do insulin and leptin resistance contribute to obesity?

Insulin and leptin resistance are two of the major risk factors in the development of obesity. Some studies have shown that around 70–80% of people with obesity have leptin resistance, and nearly 50–70% of people with obesity have insulin resistance.

How does insulin resistance lead to fat storage?

Insulin resistance occurs when the body cells that need to absorb glucose from the bloodstream stop reacting to insulin; they fail to absorb glucose effectively, which increases glucose levels in the bloodstream. When the pancreas detects more glucose, it tries to compensate by producing more insulin. Elevated insulin levels promote fat storage by converting excess glucose into fat. Over time, you will gain excess weight, which leads to obesity.

How does leptin resistance disrupt appetite control?

When the hormonal and metabolic systems function properly, leptin will send signals to the brain—particularly the hypothalamus—to reduce appetite once the body has sufficient fat stores. It also encourages the brain to speed up energy expenditure and vice versa to maintain a healthy energy balance.

However, in cases of leptin resistance, it impairs the functions of the whole system as the brain becomes less responsive or unresponsive to the leptin’s signals. Eventually, this leads to increased hunger and overeating, which results in weight gain and obesity.

Often insulin and leptin resistance can coexist, amplifying the effects of one another and pushing you into a metabolic feedback loop, which makes it difficult to lose weight. 

By now, you might have understood the significance of insulin and leptin and their role in promoting obesity. Remember to take proactive steps to maintain a healthy diet, being physically active, getting enough sleep, and managing stress, as they are key factors in promoting your health. For more effective weight loss solutions, consult Dr Venugopal Pareek, the best bariatric surgeon in Hyderabad. Call +91 91777 77715 to book your appointment.