Leptin is all the rage at the moment. Talk about this wonder hormone was initially tied to its ability to control appetite and thus manage excess weight. Now, not only is it relevant in the struggle against obesity, but it seems to have a strong link to reproductive health, fertility, and yes, sexual health.
Leptin is made in our fat cells. When we eat, this hormone navigates the bloodstream, travels to the brain, and communicates with the hypothalamus, telling our hands to put down the knife and fork. Normally a big meal means high leptin, which equals reduced appetite, and increased fat burning. If, and when, we ignore that message and instead fill up on seconds, our cells become resistant to those signals, (much like insulin-resistance), and we will eventually end up with many additional cellular fat storages.
On the reproductive side, rising levels of leptin, in response to an increase in body fat, (as in female puberty), lets the body know that there’s enough energy to sustain a pregnancy. This explains how a low percentage of body fat can interfere with reproductive success. According to the Harvard University Gazette, women who lose their monthly cycles, from under-eating, over-exercising, or both, boosted their fertility by leptin injections. Leptin may also reduce bone loss which would make it even more beneficial to women who chronically fail to menstruate.
If leptin is being researched as a fertility enhancer, who’s to say that it wouldn’t impact one’s sexuality? I stumbled across this article that vaguely links leptin to libido.
It does make sense that adding good fats to the diet, like omega-3’s, which have been linked to lower levels of depression, will make you happy and put you in the mood. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner so you might consider feeding the RIGHT FATS to your significant other to get those leptin levels up, ( in the healthy way that does not make love handles).
Try these for starters:
ALMONDS
Through antiquity, almonds were regarded as fertility symbols. The aroma of almond supposedly arouses passion in females. The scientists say that almonds provide high doses of vitamin E, magnesium and even fiber. Therefore, there seems to be something in the almond myths after all.
AVOCADO
Just by looking at the shape of avocado, you will see the reason why it was associated with sexuality. The Aztecs called the avocado ahuacuatl, or “testicle tree.” They thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree resembled testicles. The Catholic priests in Spain found this fruit so obscenely sexual that they forbade it. On the other side, avocado is rich with folic acid, vitamin B6 and potassium. They are also said to boost immune system.
Other examples of good fats include walnuts, coconut, olive, and flaxseed oil, (all cold-pressed organic), mercury-free fatty fish, (sardines are great!).
Eat fat, be happy, healthy, and fertile!