One of the primary benefits of cheat days is their effect on leptin levels in the body. Leptin is a hormone secreted by fat cells that is key to maintaining energy balance in the body. When leptin levels reach a certain threshold, it signals to the brain that you have sufficient energy stored, allowing you to push away from the table when you’ve had enough. However, when leptin levels drop, hunger signals go through the roof, often resulting in overeating. The trickiest part? Caloric restriction has been shown to cause a drop in leptin levels, and so decreasing caloric intake for prolonged periods of time can lead to a greater potential for uncontrolled binging down the road. According to some research, upticks in eating, specifically with carbohydrates, could help to stave off decreasing leptin levels and prevent mindless noshing. Caloric restriction has also been shown to have an effect on thyroid hormones, specifically T3. Thyroid hormones play many roles in the body, including regulating metabolic rate (how many calories you burn during the day) and growth in various systems of the body (like bones). Limiting your caloric intake can cause a decrease in T3 levels in the body, resulting in lower thyroid hormone production and a decrease in metabolic rate. Not exactly the adaptation you want to occur when you’re trying to lose weight.
Posted on: Sun, 03 Aug 2014 01:12:41 +0000
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