Difference Between Leptin and Lectin

The key difference between leptin and lectin is that leptin is a hormone secreted by fat cells, while lectin is a plant protein that has the ability to bind with carbohydrates.

Leptin and lectin are two substances. Leptin is a hormone that provides beneficial effects for us. Fat cells of our adipose tissue make leptons. On the other hand, lectin is a protein that is of plant origin. High concentrations of lectins are not good for our health.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Leptin
3. What is Lectin
4. Similarities Between Leptin and Lectin
5. Side by Side Comparison – Leptin vs Lectin in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Leptin?

Leptin is a protein hormone made in the fat cells of adipose tissue and circulated in the bloodstream. It influences the body’s’ energy balance by inhibiting hunger when it does not need energy. Therefore, we call it the starvation or satiety hormone as well. Importantly, leptin hormone shows a direct connection with body fat and obesity. Moreover, it participates in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. Ultimately, it helps in maintaining body weight.

Figure 01: Leptin

Since leptin plays a key role in losing bodyweight, it is available as supplements. It is also popular in decreasing appetite and regulating calories we take and burn.

What is Lectin?

Lectin is a protein which is of plant origin. They are found in high concentrations in wheat, rye, barley, wheat germ, quinoa, rice, oats, millet and corn. It has the ability to bind with carbohydrates. Importantly, larger amounts of lectin can reduce our body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Therefore, antinutrient is another name given for lectin since they block the absorption of some nutrients.

Figure 02: Lectin

However, small amounts of lectin provide several health benefits. They help the good bacteria that live in human digestive systems. However, humans can’t digest lectin, so if we consume it, they go through our gut without digesting.

What are the Similarities Between Leptin and Lectin?

Both leptin and lectin are proteins.
They provide health benefits.

What is the Difference Between Leptin and Lectin?

Leptin is a hormone secreted from fat cells that helps to regulate body weight while lectin is a protein of plant origin that binds with carbohydrates. So, this is the key difference between leptin and lectin. Moreover, a further difference between leptin and lectin is that the fat cells in the adipose tissue make leptin and release it into our bloodstream while lectin is present in plants such as legumes, grains and nightshade vegetables. Functionally, leptin helps to regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger. In contrast, lectin binds with carbohydrates and reduces the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.

The below infographic shows more comparisons related to the difference between leptin and lectin.

Summary – Leptin vs Lectin

Leptin acts as a hormone secreted by the fat cells. It helps in regulating energy balance and losing weight. In contrast, lectin is a plant protein. It has the ability to bind with carbohydrates and reduce nutrient absorption. So, this is the summary of the difference between leptin and lectin.

Reference:

1. “Leptin.” Leptin | Hormone Health Network, Available here.
2. Megan Ware, RDN. “Lectin-Free Diet: Benefits, Risks, and Foods to Eat and Avoid.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Leptin” By I, Vossman (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Gs4 sugar all” By Thamelry at English Wikipedia – Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Shureg using CommonsHelper (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia