Researchers Reveal What Too Much Fat Does to Your Brain

The stigma remains. Despite all of the evidence to the contrary, people still believe that weight loss (and gain) is all about willpower and “smart” choices. While these two psychological elements undoubtedly come into play, they are not nearly as influential as most people think. Numerous genetic and environmental factors and medical disorders are just as much – if not more – a factor as nutritional smarts and a good workout routine. Additionally, science has made exciting discoveries about the role of fat in one’s diet.

But first, let us discuss leptin.

“Researchers have uncovered a destructive mechanism at the molecular level that causes a well-known phenomenon associated with obesity: leptin resistance.” – University of California, San Diego

What is leptin?

“Scientists first discovered leptin in 1994. (While) initially, researchers believed the discovery could be used to create powerful weight loss supplements, this has never happened.” – Jillian Levy, CHHC

For the sake of not turning this article into a research paper, suffice it to say that leptin is a hormone that helps to regulate appetite and hunger. Leptin, a.k.a. the “starvation hormone,” is manufactured in the fat cells, circulates through the blood, and is delivered to the brain.

Of course, as with any hormone, leptin has a few other responsibilities. Dr. Robert Lustig, a professor of medicine at the University of California San Diego, explains:

“…when leptin levels are a certain threshold…the brain senses that you have energy sufficiency, which means that you can burn energy at a normal rate, eat food at a normal amount, engage in exercise at a normal rate, and you can engage in expensive processes, like puberty and pregnancy.”

Dr. Ludwig also notes, importantly, that leptin level thresholds are “probably genetically set.” In other words, your ancestors directly affect the ease with which you both store and burn fat – and gain and lose weight. Additionally, per Dr. Ludwig, the leptin threshold also determines your exercise tolerance.

As we’ll discuss next, some scientists hypothesize that this signaling mechanism in the obese doesn’t work as it does in the non-obese. Studies demonstrate that this irregularity can lead to overeating and malfunctioning metabolic processes.

In short: your predetermined leptin threshold will either assist or resist your efforts to lose weight. Let’s talk about the effect of high-fat diets on leptin function.

High-Fat Diets and Leptin

“We opened up a new field of study for metabolic disease. We need to ask what other pathways, in addition to leptin and its receptors, that undergo a (destructive) process and what the consequences might be.” – Rafi Mazor, Ph.D.

It wasn’t until very recently that medical researchers began to understand the brain mechanism directly affecting leptin uptake in the brain. An international research team led by Rafi Mazor, a bioengineer and professor at the University of California, San Diego, found that a high-fat diet alters the chemistry of an enzyme called “MMP-2.” The modification of this enzyme led to the “clipping” of brain cells so that the neurons were unable to register that satiation (“feeling of fullness”) was achieved.

As a result of Mazor’s and his team’s breakthrough study, the researchers received support for a large-scale clinical trial. This proposed research aims to see whether MM-2 inhibitors (“blockers”) can help the obese lose weight.

Final Thoughts on Fat Consumption

Firstly, it is crucial to understand that leptin resistance research is still in its infancy. (Heck, we discovered the hormone a mere 24 years ago!) As such, experts are somewhat tight-lipped when it comes to making prescriptive recommendations. We can, however, glean some critical insights from the research already conducted.

Eat a balanced diet: Nearly everyone agrees that what we put into our mouths is the most critical element to good health. As such, make sure to eat a balanced diet consisting of fruits and vegetables and lean protein.

Exercise and limit dietary fat: Individuals who both exercise regularly and limited dietary fat showed reduced blood leptin levels. Body mass index reduced as well.

Keep tabs on fiber intake: Fiber might be the most underappreciated nutrient there is. Much more attention seems to be given to fat and carbohydrate content than anything. Fiber, however, particularly soluble fiber, makes us feel full (so we don’t eat too much fat or carbs!). The Dietary Recommended Allowance (RDA) of dietary fiber is as follows:

Children