An endocrine system hormone known as Leptin regulates appetite and feelings of hunger (or satiety), however scientists are now suspecting that low levels of Leptin have links to Alzheimer’s disease, the body’s energy regulation mechanisms, serious weight problems and cognitive dysfunction.
Now I realize that I probably am the first person to bring up this issue in relationship to Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but I’m sitting here thinking… What about us? Is there a connection that hasn’t been made yet? Hopefully my prompting will open some doors and cause inquiring minds to want to know. (Read on for all the info; then forward this post to your friends, send them to the blog, Tweet it or note it on Facebook. Comment here, too, and let’s discuss it.)
Leptin (Greek leptos meaning thin) is a 16 kDa protein hormone that plays a key role in regulating energy intake and energy expenditure, including appetite and metabolism. It is one of the most important adipose derived hormones.[1] The Ob(Lep) gene (Ob for obese, Lep for leptin) is located on chromosome 7 in humans. (from Wikipedia)
Now do these 3 things:
1) To listen to the podcast and more detailed information about this topic, click on the right-facing arrow above;
2) Get access to the news article and website with the link below -and-
3) Consider the following 4 questions specifically designed for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers:
1) Is it possible that a low level Leptin condition can show up in a person of any age?
2) When evidence of weight problems, recurring and seriously low energy deficits and brain or cognitive dysfunction symptoms (that we call brain fog) show up in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients, should we be checked for a low Leptin level?
3) Is it possible that low level Leptin is a part of the problem causing the diverse group of symptoms seen in our population? (If “yes, it is possible,” then go on to Question 4.)
4) Assuming someone has a low Leptin level, is there any contra-indication against trying him or her on the hormone Leptin to see if the person improves?
The answers to these questions could be very important. However, I know of no one doing this type of research for people with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Remember: the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I encourage you to forward this blog post on to any and everyone you can think of. All your Fibro buddies, Spoonies and folks in your local support group. If you know a doctor, researcher or scientist, see if you can peak their interest, too. With enough interest in this subject, we might generate some curiosity and action.
AND ACTION IS WHAT IT’S GOING TO TAKE TO SOLVE THESE HEALTH PROBLEMS!
Even though this is speculation, those of us who have or have had Fibromyalgia or CFS probably suffer with at least 2 out of these 3 symptoms: either weight issues, the problem of having enough energy to do all of the things that we want and need to do in life or we suffer with the brain fog of someone who is very, very ill.
Take a look at the WebMd report at More Leptin May Mean Less Alzheimer’s . I know my interest is certainly peeked with this issue.
So for all the nutritionists, endocrine system and disease researchers and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia specialists out there, please weigh in on this issue and any of the four questions. Certainly it would be great not to have Alzheimer’s Disease (No one wants it!), but if this type of Leptin dysfunction is hitting the younger generation hard, too, because of what such an imbalance does to the body, then this is certainly a worthy topic.
Thanks for listening. I hope my random musings make it around the world and back only because this is something we can sink our teeth into. Much of the effort for finding out what we need to know about Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is up to us. Hint: Action and Awareness.
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show
PS- For a strong dose of reality, check out WebMD’s link at the bottom of the page listed above. What you’ll be looking for is entitled Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms.
PPS- Plus, for 2010 I am inviting “specialists” to speak to us about this topic and more. Keep your fingers crossed that my invitations to the best ones are accepted and that they agree to talk to us soon. In anticipation of this, I have placed several books about leptin and nutrition inside of the Health Matters Store under the Cinda Recommends column to the right. Check them out and order one for yourself and your 2010 good health and healing resolutions!
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Adrienne Dellwo 12.18.09 at 4:15 pm
Great topic, Cinda! I know a lot of us wonder about early Alzheimer’s when our brains start to regularly misfire.
Some speculation on my part: I’ve seen research showing that we don’t have a greater risk of Alzheimer’s than anyone else, which is comforting. Still, I have to wonder if leptin is part of our problem. Maybe it’s like in diabetes, where one type (Alzheimer’s) doesn’t have enough and another type (fibro/ME/CFS) does’t use it properly.
People think we know everything about the human body, but what we DON’T know is staggering — especially when it comes to the brain. My opinion? Leave no stone unturned! I think our researchers need to spend a lot more time looking at brain fog. It may not be “just” a symptom; it could be what’s behind everything else. When the command center’s not working right, how can you expect ANYTHING to?
Cinda Crawford 12.18.09 at 4:28 pm
Adrienne, I’m glad you agree that we need to look into things like this. I’m really hoping that I can get some speakers soon to talk about leptin and weight. If we have a similar “Leptin” dysfunction to what has been discovered in Alzheimer’s… well, wow! We should investigate it. According to the article, many of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue symptoms are compared similarly: low energy, weight gain, and cognitive dysfunction. With most people it’s bad enough not having their body working properly, but to have the brain so totally dysfunctional feels like the final straw.
payday loans 01.23.10 at 5:00 pm
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Cinda Crawford 01.24.10 at 1:13 pm
I’m not sure what you’re trying to say that spam is god, or your divine pink meat comment (??), but I do know that people with Fibromyalgia and/or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may have risk factors for future health consequences that science hasn’t dreamed of yet– in this case, coming down with Alzheimer’s or just worsening their already present brain fog symptoms.
Certainly what “we” live with now is enough; we don’t need more. Fibro and CFS people don’t need brains that continue to deteriorate in functionality. Some folks are already very non-functional when it comes to using their brain successfully. What we do need are answers and if anyone can find out if there is a connection to leptin deficiency and these illnesses, it would be great. Yeah or nay- let’s decide.