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Leptin Ghrelin Imbalance

Meaning

Leptin Ghrelin imbalance describes a state of dysregulation in the complex interplay between two major hormones that govern energy homeostasis and appetite: Leptin, which is secreted by adipose tissue to signal satiety, and Ghrelin, which is secreted by the stomach to stimulate hunger. A functional imbalance typically involves a state of leptin resistance, where the brain fails to properly recognize high circulating leptin levels, combined with an abnormal ghrelin profile. This hormonal disruption fundamentally contributes to chronic overeating, difficulty with weight loss, and the development of metabolic dysfunction. It represents a failure in the body’s natural energy sensing and regulatory system.