Researchers have identified one more way in which becoming overweight turns into a self-perpetuating problem. It is long been known that neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a potent appetite signal made in your brain so that you have a desire to acquire food to survive.

It was just discovered that belly fat cells make NPY¹ in your abdominal area (not in your brain) as you become overweight, causing you to crave more food, which makes you even fatter in the abdominal area, in turn causing you to crave even more food.

When you consume enough calcium it turns down the volume knob on NPY, thereby reducing cravings. In some cases it takes 2,000 – 3,000 mg of calcium to bring NPY under control – with higher doses being needed by the person that just can't seem to get their appetite under control no matter what they do. In clinical practice I find that adding extra calcium AEP (3-12 capsules per day) can really help bring this problem under control, as the AEP helps transport the calcium into your brain – delivering calcium to where it is needed to help regulate NPY.

When leptin levels enter your brain correctly, as happens when you follow the Leptin Diet, then NPY is also kept in balance. Thus, any overall leptin management strategy that is working for you will generally help this problem.