Is Starving Your Brain Causing You To Gain Weight?

Is there a higher power to weight loss?

Do we have all the answers we need to successfully lose weight and keep it off?

I am one who believes that we possess the tools and the information to successfully lose weight and keep it off.  

But there is something that might be hindering you from losing weight.

But going back to the first question, you are going to be floored, and I mean FLOORED by the answer!

There is a higher power, which we usually do not think about, hindering weight loss.  When adipose tissue releases Leptin, where does the hormone go? 

The brain!  That’s right, the brain can influence how our bodies lose weight and control metabolism. 

Give me a minute to explain.

There is a process in the body where cells start to die and need to be destroyed.   This process can be pretty complex, and I will do my best not to lose you in the technical jargon.

Our cells are programmed to naturally destroy dead or dying cells.  This process, called autophagy, allows us to maintain a sense of balance in our cells and bodies.  It happens every day and is a protective mechanism in the body. 

When a cell starts to become dysfunctional, the cell recognizes this and starts the process of destroying it. 

First, the cytoplasm of the cell binds to autophagosomes.   Once bound to these autophagosomes, the cytoplasm then takes a trip into the cell to a sac called lysosomes. 

And if you remember anything from basic biology, lysosomes contain enzymes which eat the cells.

Pretty much our cells are cannibals -  eating themselves for the greater good! 

Simply put, dying or dysfunctional cells are able to be trapped, shuttled to lysosomes, and then destroyed. 

One really cool thing, though, is that the breakdown of cells provides your body with plenty of energy, through fatty acids or amino acids.

Pretty cool, huh?

So let’s get back to dieting.

Many of you might have tried a fasting diet or two in your lifetime.   They can leave you hungry, depleted of energy, and can make you grumpy. 

This is when you know it is time for food again.  

Not all fasting diets do this; and, for the first few days this might not happen.  Eventually though, your body needs food, and will let you know when that time comes.

Fasting can also be a way of starving yourself of essential nutrients. 

Difference between starving and fasting: starving leaves you anxious, hungry, and craving food.  Fasting gives you inner perspective and no hungry feelings. 

And starvation causes your cells, especially cells in your brain, to destroy them for energy.

Here is the autophagy and starvation connection. 

Autophagy not only occurs when a cell goes through the programmed steps of cell breakdown, Autophagy is also stimulated by starvation!

Who would have thought!

When your body lacks nutrients, cells sacrifice themselves for the greater good.  They break themselves down, and release stored energy in the form of amino acids or fatty acids.

This is especially true in the brain!

Starving sends a STRONG signal to the brain telling it we need energy.  Hunger pangs not only tell us the body needs energy, but they also stimulate the brain to send a response.

How?

It breaks down cells in the hypothalamus.  This breakdown releases fatty acids into the brain, which the brain uses as energy.   This whole process regulates a specific peptide called AgRP.

Seriously more science!  I will be quick!

AgRP is a peptide which controls food intake and energy balance.    So with lack of food, AgRP increases, which raises our appetite and decreases our metabolism. 

AgRP is inhibited by Leptin, but increased when there are higher levels of Ghrelin.

As a review, Leptin is able to tell us when we are full by travelling to the hypothalamus, and essentially knocking on its door and telling it you are done eating, and you are full.

Ghrelin however, acts in the opposite way.   Increased levels of Ghrelin stimulate your appetite, making you more hungry.  Simply put, Ghrelin tells you to eat more.

Review:  Taking in extra calories WILL make you gain weight!

So back to the brain!

The release of fatty acids from the hypothalamus cells, stimulates our appetite.   Higher levels of these fatty acids droplets make your brain more hungry, which makes your whole body hungry.

This is due to the fatty acids' ability to increase hypothalamic levels of AgRP.  This tells us we need to eat, and that we NEED TO EAT NOW!

Okay, so how does this apply to us?

Research done by Rajat et al. helped clear this up!

Through their research, they were able to shut off the breakdown process of the cells, leading to better energy balance and much thinner mice.  Yes, I said mice. 

Even though this was applied to mice, they believe strongly that by stopping the breakdown process and the release of the fatty acids in the brain, you will have better control over weight management.  They feel that shutting off the process will lead to decreased hunger and help you burn extra fat.

This helps you to control hunger, leading to less overeating and better energy balance in the body.

The other way to do it: eat sensibly and prevent starving your body of essential nutrients. 

This might help to prevent the breakdown of hypothalamic cells, and lead to better overall weight management and better energy balance.