Can leptin help individuals with Alzheimer’s? Part 2

The scientists observed that higher leptin levels were associated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer's and all other forms of dementia. At least ¼ of the study who had the lowest leptin levels had a 25% risk of developing AD over a 12-year period. On the other hand those with high levels of leptin had a much lower incidence of developing AD. Moreover, lower leptin levels were also linked to a decrease in brain size.

Dr Seshadri went on to say that at present the role of leptin in the brain is a mystery and, “we're not recommending that anyone get leptin or increase leptin levels."  

As a final note, all consumers should know that there is no correlation between levels of leptin and AD. Even though low levels of leptin have been found in patients with AD, this is by no means a universal or reproducible finding.

Over the past decade, Leptin supplements have been widely sold in many health food stores and experts believe that these are just fake pills. Even though leptin is heavily marketed as a weight loss agent, there is no proof in humans that it does what the vendors of the products claim. At least for now, the only thing leptin can reduce is the weight of your hard earned money.

Study is reported in the Dec. 16 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association,