The Discovery of Leptin • Leptin communicates between fat cells and the brain • Leptin was discovered in 1994 at Rockefeller University by Jeffrey M. Friedman, MD, PhD, and his team • Leptin is a hormone made by fat cells that regulates food intake and energy expenditure • Leptin’s messages: Stop eatingburn fat or store fat • Scientists thought if they gave leptin to overweight people they would lose weight • WRONG! Overweight people have too much leptin Participants at the University of Connecticut lost an average of: • 21.5 lbs. of Body Fat in 8 weeks! • 3.96 inches off their waist • 3.28 inches off their hips • 1.20 inches off each thigh 90 More Effective than diet and exercise alone! Mastering Leptin can be gained by visiting the site and taking the tour.