Have you been told that fat cells are sorta like bubble wrap that you wear? Benign and annoying? They’re annoying all right, but far from benign! Your fat cells speak in code and the hormones they release tell a fascinating tale. Pay attention if you have fibromyalgia, chronic illness, diabetes and/or thyroid dysfunction paired with a slow metabolism.  

You see, fat cells aren’t very quiet. They’ve just gotta express themselves. They have a language all their own and use hormones to tell a story of how your body is functioning.

Your body is a complete system of checks and balances. Each system of the body constantly checks in to see how it’s doing. Your fat cells, in particular, release hormones to communicate messages intended to regulate the body and keep it operating at peak efficiency.

Think of a steam train engineer sending messages to the coal car. The engineer shouts either, “More coal!” or “Less coal!”

Of course, this is a simplified illustration, but for the purposes of this article, we’re looking at the body’s tendency to either burn fat as fuel, or store it. This is where the peak efficiency thing can go bonkers.

To decide
whether to burn or release fat,
the body asks …

• How are my insulin levels? Are the levels high and do they stay high?
• How’s my reaction to sugar and foods that turn rapidly into sugar (grains, dairy, etc.)? Do I consume too many sugars, too often?
• Do I get enough restorative sleep?
• How are my toxin levels? Do I have exposures to heavy metals and other toxins?
• How am I doing with stress? Is it periodic or has it become chronic?

Challenges in any of these areas can create a scenario related to the thyroid function called leptin resistance. In the topsy turvy world of leptin resistance, the body decides that even though it has plenty of fat, it must SLOW the metabolism so that it can make more.

Yikes!

It’s no surprise that when leptin resistance is present, weight loss is extremely difficult.

These circumstances are some of the ways to trigger leptin resistance –

• Yo-yo dieting
• Consuming processed foods
• Consuming sugary / high carbohydrate foods
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Heavy metal toxicity (mercury, etc.)
• Poor sleep habits
• Chronic stress (including worrying and high anxiety)

Do any of these sound familiar? Do you believe leptin resistance could be an issue for you?

To learn more about leptin resistance – including 8 Tips to Reverse Leptin Resistance, check out this article and video.

Would you like to learn more about thyroid function from my good friend and colleague, Glen Depke, Traditional Naturopath? Be sure to check out his article, The Thyroid Issue Nobody is Talking About. While you’re there, don’t forget to take his Free Thyroid Assessment to see how you’re doing!

And finally, to learn more about toxins in your home, you may wish to check out  my article about a Toxic House.

What’s your story with hormones, thyroid, and weight loss? Have you found solutions or suggestions that help? Do share in the comments right here!