Jump to: The hypothalamus and metabolic adaptation | Can weight-loss injections help lower our set-point? | Take home message
Several scientific theories have been developed based on the available evidence to help us understand how our body regulates weight and what happens when we’re trying to lose weight.
According to the set-point theory, we each have a natural ‘set point’, which is the weight our body hovers at when we eat healthily. Our DNA and the environment around us influence our set point range.
Internal systems keep our weight around our set point, but the upper and lower limits are flexible.
For example, if your set point range was around 5-10% of 12 stone (76kg), your body could lose or gain between ~8-17lbs (4-8kg) without too much resistance. But to go below this range would be highly challenging.
It’s important to remember that everyone is unique, so some people might have a different set point range, meaning their body allows a much smaller or larger weight loss before meeting resistance.
To further explain this theory, here’s a helpful analogy: consider it our core body temperature.
- Our body’s normal temperature is 37 degrees
- If we go above or below that, our body will do everything in its power to get us back to that optimal temperature – it’ll sweat to cool down or shiver to keep warm
- Slow, gradual weight gain over many years can trick our body into thinking its set point is higher than it should be, which causes our body to resettle at a new, higher weight.
Research also shows that short periods of restrictive dieting can cause our set point to shift upwards. So, when we return to our original eating pattern, we tend to regain the fat we lost and potentially more.
The hypothalamus and metabolic adaptation
The hypothalamus is pivotal in regulating body weight and metabolism, acting as the central control centre.
This small but crucial brain region is intricately connected to the set point theory and metabolic adaptation.
It receives and integrates signals from various hormones and nutrients in the bloodstream, processing information about energy intake, expenditure, and storage.
Based on these signals, the hypothalamus adjusts our appetite, metabolism, and energy balance.
Leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells, communicates directly with the hypothalamus about the body’s energy and fat stores.
In a person at their set point, leptin levels help maintain energy balance. However, leptin levels decrease during weight loss, which the hypothalamus interprets as a threat to survival, triggering metabolic adaptation.
The hypothalamus initiates several adaptations to a perceived energy deficit, like during weight loss.
These include increased appetite and food-seeking behaviour, reduced energy expenditure, and hormonal changes that promote fat storage, all of which make further weight loss more challenging and promote weight regain.
Interestingly, the hypothalamus can exhibit neuroplasticity, potentially allowing for long-term changes in the set point.
This suggests that gradual, sustained lifestyle changes might help “reset” the hypothalamic regulation to a lower set point over time.
However, it’s important to note that genetic factors influence hypothalamic function and sensitivity to hormonal signals. This partly explains why some individuals find it easier or harder to lose weight and maintain weight loss.
Can weight-loss injections help lower our set point?
Theoretically, weight-loss injections could help us lower our set-point over time as it may help us maintain a lower weight for long enough for the hypothalamus to adapt to our new level of body fat.
However, there’s no clinical evidence investigating the role of weight-loss injections and their direct effects on the hypothalamus or set point, so it’s unclear whether this would be the case.
Still, research has shown that the hormone GLP-1 (which Mounjaro and Wegovy mimic) has several functions in the body that influence our metabolism.
So, while the impact of weight-loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy on our set point is unclear, there’s a strong theoretical basis for why they could help us lower our set point and maintain a lower weight in the long term.
Take home message
Weight-loss injections are most effective when combined with a healthier lifestyle. They can help kickstart weight loss and potentially lower your set point while you commit to developing healthier habits.
Mounjaro and other weight loss injections, like Ozempic and Wegovy, can allow you to make lifestyle changes to support long-term weight loss.
These medications can help silence food-related thoughts and give you a boost of confidence with more immediate weight-loss results.
They can also buy you the time and headspace to understand why your body may have struggled to lose weight and build new long-term healthy habits.
The core focus of our medication programmes is to calm down the feeling of food noise, lower your cravings, and allow you to build healthier habits to keep the weight off for good.
The ultimate goal is to make losing weight feel second nature.
Second Nature’s medication programmes
Second Nature has two medication-supported programmes: a Wegovy weight-loss programme and a Mounjaro weight-loss programme.
Why should you choose Second Nature over other medication providers if you’ve decided to try Mounjaro or Wegovy (assuming you’re eligible)?
For peace of mind.
Second Nature has worked with the NHS for over 6 years, providing weight-loss programmes across the UK.
While our Wegovy and Mounjaro weight-loss programmes are private and not currently used by the NHS, we’ve built the programmes focusing on scientific evidence, patient safety, and data security.
We hope that our 6+ years of working with the NHS and building a track record of effective weight-loss results will give you peace of mind to give us a try.
