Reversing "Leptin Resistance" for significant weight loss:

The protein hormone leptin is encoded by the obesity (ob) gene, and has been identified in published research as a principal modulator of body weight and metabolism. Studies show that leptin acts centrally in the brain's hypothalamic centers, where it mediates weight loss by decreasing hunger and food consumption, and increasing energy expenditure (resulting in loss of adipose (fat) tissue mass and an increase in lean muscle mass).

Recent work from Harvard researchers has tied leptin to a crucial pathway in fat metabolism in muscle. This pathway suggests a role for leptin in clearing fat out of cells.

While it is clearly established that leptin directs signaling to the brain to control eating and induce satiety, leptin also disposes of cellular fat by up-regulating thermogenesis and metabolic rate. Clinical findings show that the vast majority of overweight people have elevated levels of leptin due to "leptin resistance."

"Leptin resistance" in the overweight, or obese, is similar in nature to "insulin resistance" in diabetics, and it's extremely common. "Leptin resistance" occurs when the body fails to transport leptin past the blood-brain barrier to the hypothalamus.

In order for leptin to control body weight and metabolism, it must do so from the hypothalamic centers in the brain, through the central nervous system-mediated signaling mechanisms. When brain levels of leptin are low due to "leptin resistance" - even if there are high circulating blood levels of leptin - food cravings and weight gain occur because the body believes that it is hungry and goes into a state of continued fat storage.

Research shows that "leptin resistance" happens when there is an over-expression of Protein Tyrosine Phosphates 1B (PTP1 B), which down-regulates or degrades leptin signaling. Inhibiting, or blocking, PTP1 B is shown in studies to be effective for restoring normal leptin signaling from the hypothalamic centers in the brain. By reversing "leptin resistance," through the blocking of PTP1 B, the function of the protein hormone leptin is restored so that the hypothalamic center can normally and effectively modulate body weight and metabolism.

Published studies demonstrate that the botanically derived phytochemical, isolated and purified single-peak Isoquinoline Alkaloid Berberine Hel, specifically and potently inhibits human Protein Tyrosine Phosphates 1B (PTP1 B).

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In addition to its specific and potent inhibiting of human Protein Tyrosine Phosphates 1B (PTP1 B) - The botanically-derived phytochemical, isolated and purified single-peak Isoquinoline Alkaloid Berberine HCI, is shown to help regulate weight by a number of distinct and important mechanisms:

• Increases cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels, and ratios of cAMP to cATP, which is critical in the regulation of glycogen, sugar, and ~ lipid metabolism.
• Enhances glucose metabolism, improves glucose tolerance, and up regulates carbohydrate metabolism via multiple pathways. Displays anti-adipogenic (anti-fat) and anti-inflammatory properties via down-regulation of adipogenic (fat) enzymes and transcription factors.
• Down-regulates lipogenesis and up-regulates energy expenditure (thermogenesis) in adipose (fat) tissue.

Leptin Research Snippets

• The protein hormone leptin has been identified in published research as a principal modulator of body weight and metabolism.
• Leptin acts centrally in the brain's hypothalamus to inhibit food intake and increase energy expenditure.
• Leptin disposes of cellular fat by up-regulating thermogenesis and metabolic rate, clinical findings show that the vast majority of overweight people have elevated levels of leptin due to "leptin resistance."
• When brain levels of leptin are low due to "leptin resistance" - even if there are high circulating blood levels of leptin - food cravings and weight gain occur because the body believes that it is hungry and goes into a state of continued fat storage.

The following links can provide you with more information on the topic of leptin:

http://www.harvardscience.harvard.edu/medicine-health/articles/hormone-leptin-tied-fat-breakdown-muscle

http://mentalhealth.about.com/library/sci/0402/blobese402.htm