How does the hunger hormone ghrelin work?
Ghrelin is a hormone that is produced by the stomach when it is empty. Ghrelin travels through the bloodstream to the brain, stimulating neurons in the hypothalamus to signal hunger. For this reason, ghrelin is often referred to as the"hunger hormone". But now researchers know that ghrelin has many other functions in the body.What is ghrelin?
Definition of ghrelin as a hunger hormone may be over-simplifying its role in the body. Ghrelin actually sends hunger signals to your brain to make you want to eat. But ghrelin has many other functions in your body.
When there is no food in the stomach, it releases the hormone ghrelin. Ghrelin levels are highest right before a meal. Ghrelin travels with the bloodstream to a part of your brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus regulates hunger, thirst, mood, and other physical functions. It also acts on the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for forming emotions. Ghrelin causes the pituitary gland to secrete growth hormone, which destroys adipose tissue and causes muscles to grow.
When ghrelin receptors in the hypothalamus interact with the hormone, it sends a strong signal to your body that your food supply is insufficient and you need to eat. Then you start feeling hungry, and other changes occur in your body:
· you start saving fat. Researchers know that ghrelin signals the body to reduce the thermogenesis of brown fat and the oxidation of fat cells. This means that your body burns less to save energy in the event of starvation.
* The stomach becomes more elastic. Scientists know that ghrelin increases "stomach peristalsis" to prepare the stomach for food intake and push food through the digestive system.
· Your appetite increases. Your brain continues to send signals that you are hungry until you start eating. After eating, the ghrelin level decreases for 1-3 hours.
Recent research has shown that ghrelin not only signals hunger, but also helps regulate glucose and insulin levels, promotes heart health, protects bones and muscles, and even helps protect against cancer.
Although ghrelin
can benefit your body, many dieters are still frustrated with the excruciating pangs of hunger and would like to reduce it to feel better. So can you block ghrelin so that you eat less? Here's what the data says about your ghrelin in your body:
* Poor sleep increases ghrelin content. When you don't get enough sleep, your ghrelin levels go up. This way you can get a good night's sleep to block ghrelin in your body. Sleep can also help you produce more leptin, a hormone that helps you eat less. Leptin and ghrelin work together to help you eat the right amount, but when trying to lose weight, dieters usually want to increase leptin.
* An empty stomach stimulates ghrelin. Since ghrelin production begins when your stomach is empty, you can limit your intake by eating small snacks or meals throughout the day. But if your goal is to lose weight, try choosing diet snacks that will help you create a calorie deficit.
* Protein foods can help block ghrelin. One small study published in 2008 found that foods with a higher protein content suppressed ghrelin levels for a longer period. Lean proteins are a smart choice for dieters who want to build a more muscular and lean body.
* Weight loss increases ghrelin. Dieters who have lost weight have higher levels of ghrelin than people who have maintained the same weight for years. Try to maintain a stable healthy weight to control your ghrelin levels.
So, should you take dietary supplements or ghrelin blockers to change the hormone in your body? Probably not. Most supplements contain herbs that help you feel full. But you don't need expensive supplements to feel full. Foods rich in fiber offer the same benefits for less money (and they also taste good!)
So what does the future hold for hunger hormones like ghrelin? Researchers continue to explore different ways in which many hormones interact to control weight. But most believe it will be years before hormones are used for weight loss. Meanwhile, most experts continue to recommend common sense for weight loss. Eat healthy, calorie-controlled foods throughout the day, move around a lot, and talk to your doctor if traditional methods don't work.
