Leptin Injections may help Dieters Keep the Weight Off

December 3rd 2005

One of the big problems with dieting is gaining back weight.  Dieters may lose the pounds but put them right back on.  Scientists are beginning to learn why. 

Researchers at New York’s Columbia University found that overweight people may not produce enough of the leptin hormone.  The hormone is made in the fat tissue so as a person loses weight the leptin hormone level falls. This could be the reason why 85% people that lose weight often put at least some of the weight back on. 

The researchers gave doses of leptin to both obese and lean volunteers who recently lost weight.  They found that controlling leptin levels dieters were able to keep the weight from creeping back in people that lacked leptin. 

Previously doctors have given morbidly obese patients injections of leptin.  Those patients with a leptin deficiency were able to lose weight.  If the obese person had normal levels of leptin the injections had no effect.

Body weight is regulated by metabolic, neuroendocrine, and autonomic systems.  These systems work together to restore body weight in people who have lost weight.  The leptin doses reversed most of the metabolic, neuroendocrine and autonomic changes that occur in an effort to counter reduced body weight.

A drug may be developed to help dieters produce their own leptin.  But some researchers stress this is not the silver-bullet.  leptin may prevent the physiological response that encourages people to put weight on, but it does not deal with the emotional aspect. Behavioral therapy may still be needed.     

The study appears in the Dec. 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.