Like any disease that we associate with the elderly, heart disease has many causes. I can think of at least a dozen right this moment. In fact, I dedicated a chapter to heart health in my latest book, Longevity Secrets for Healthy Aging. Let’s look at one aspect that begins the cascade of heart problems later in life.
Leptin is a hormone made in your fat cells. It is the connection to the brain to tell you that you are full and can stop eating. Leptin has other functions also. Leptin counters the hormone, ghrelin (a hormone telling you to eat), maintains body weight, modulates the size of your fat cells, regulates energy intake, and regulates fat storage. It’s a pretty important hormone. But, it is in competition with other hormones in the body.
A consistent overabundance of blood glucose can cause insulin resistance. Leptin resistance is similar. It is caused by a consistent overabundance of leptin. Think of it as a phone call to the brain. It is trying to tell the brain to stop eating because you have reached that initial level of satiety. However, the brain doesn’t answer its phone. Leptin calls again, and again, again. Leptin is being produced to stop the flow of food and the brain is not listening.
Extra food is being converted into more fat cells. More and more fat is being stored around your organs. Over time, this visceral fat layer becomes another organ in your body. It is an organ you really don’t want. It has a mind of its own and can cause heart and other health issues. The hormonal imbalance of leptin accelerates the rate of loss of telomere length. This shortens your longevity. Pay attention to that little directive in your brain when it is time to stop eating!
