Still Hungry After Eating a Meal?
Saturday, August 8, 2009 13:48The other day I discussed high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as an addictive substance. Today I would like to address its link with leptin and appetite management. Have you ever had the feeling that you just aren’t satisfied after consuming a meal? Maybe it's because you consume too much HFCS in the processed foods you consume and drink. Here's why:
Your fat cells produce hormones and they impact how much you eat and how much fat you burn. One of these hormones is leptin and it normally balances hunger, increases fat burning and reduces fat storage. When you limit consuming HFCS, leptin helps you control your appetite and your cells are able to communicate in the proper way.
But if you are eating a diet with excessive fructose, the sugar gets metabolized in fat cells, then the fat hormones release surges in leptin. Over time, if your body is exposed to excessive leptin, you will become resistant to it.
If you become leptin resistant your body no longer hears the messages telling it to stop eating, you remain hungry and continue to eat more. The cycle will perpetuate itself as you keep consuming too much fructose in a diet heavy in sugar (sugar also contains fructose) and HFCS.
If you are want to manage your appetite better I encourage you to read labels carefully on any processed food you consume and do not eat anything with HFCS and of course limit your intake of regular sugar.