A new study has linked low leptin levels to the brain plaques found in Alzheimer's patients. This same hormone, Leptin, has also been linked to lower percentages of obesity. Why is this of a huge interest to me? Because this hormone is naturally found in.... *drum roll please*...
Breastmilk!!!!!Breastmilk: it does a body good!! (In a lot more ways than one!!)
Alzheimer's risk linked to level of appetite hormone
High levels of a hormone that controls appetite appear to be linked to a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, US research suggests.
The 12-year-study of 200 volunteers found those with the lowest levels of leptin were more likely to develop the disease than those with the highest.
The JAMA study builds on work that links low leptin levels to the brain plaques found in Alzheimer's patients.
The hope is leptin could eventually be used as both a marker and a treatment.
The hormone leptin is produced by fat cells and tells the brain that the body is full and so reduces appetite. It has long been touted as a potential weapon in treating obesity.
But there is growing evidence that the hormone also benefits brain function.
HERE to read the entire article
Breast Milk Hormones and Their Protective Effect on Obesity
Francesco Savino, Stefania A. Liguori, Maria F. Fissore, and Roberto Oggero
Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
One mechanism by which breast-feeding may protect against the development of childhood obesity is through the activity of components of breast milk such as hormones involved in appetite and energy balance that we describe in this review. Differences in growth pattern and body composition between breast-fed and formula-fed infants might be due to a different endocrine response to feeding or to bioactive substances present in breast milk that could influence the infant's response to energy intake and metabolism
