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Ghrelin, the Hunger Hormone: Could It Be the Key to Weight Loss?

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Ghrelin Levels

Ghrelin is a naturally occurring hormone. Blood levels of ghrelin are lowest just after eating and then start rising again during fasting.

Part of Body’s Normal Adaptive Response

According to researchers, the rise in ghrelin levels caused by an empty stomach and dieting is part of the body’s normal adaptive response. When we restrict our calories and/or lose weight, our bodies interpret this as famine. In response, a mechanism is triggered to keep our weight constant. Our metabolism slows down and we feel hungry, so we eat more. Hence, dieters who depend on willpower alone to lose weight often find that it eventually eludes them. Research also suggests that in addition to increasing appetite, ghrelin encourages the accumulation of abdominal fat.

Gastric Bypass and Ghrelin

Gastric bypass surgery is sometimes recommended for people who are morbidly obese. The procedure involves reducing the size of the stomach by creating a small pouch. As a result, a person feels fuller sooner and eats much less. In one small study, researchers found that ghrelin levels rise in people who are dieting. But, those who have undergone gastric bypass actually have lower amounts of ghrelin in their bodies, which seems to play a positive role in being able to lose weight.

Ghrelin and the Future of Weight Loss

Many researchers believe that ghrelin plays a significant role in the long-term regulation of body weight. They suggest that excessive production of ghrelin or a heightened sensitivity to this hormone may be a factor in obesity.

Although, it is important to note that most nutrition experts attribute the increasing rate of obesity to modern lifestyle factors, such as increased consumption of high-calorie foods and lack of regular exercise. Many people try to diet to lose weight, but do not make permanent and sustainable changes in their eating and exercise habits. Since most dieting involves food and calorie-restriction, it is often unsuccessful simply because it is monotonous, restrictive, and causes hunger. But, according to the experts, most people can achieve a healthy weight and body fat level by making positive changes in their eating habits and activity level.

It is possible that in the near future drug companies will develop a drug that focuses on the role that ghrelin plays in the body. This drug could potentially help reduce excess hunger and weight gain. In the meantime, additional studies are being conducted in this branch of obesity research.

RESOURCES

American Dietetic Association http://www.eatright.org/

American Obesity Association http://www.obesity.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Council on Food and Nutrition http://www.ccfn.ca/

Dietitians of Canada http://www.dietitians.ca/

References

Action of ghrelin hormone increases appetite and favors accumulation of abdominal fat. ScienceDaily website. Available at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090520055519.htm. Published May 26, 2009. Accesssed May 23, 2011.

American Dietetic Association website. Available at http://www.eatright.org/ . Accessed May 1, 2003

American Obesity Association website. Available at http://www.obesity.org . Accessed May 1, 2003

Cummings D, Weigle D, Fray R, et al. Plasma ghrelin levels after diet-induced weight loss or gastric bypass surgery. N Engl J Med. 2002; 346:1623-1630.

Ghrelin. Colorado State University website. Available at: http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/gi/ghrelin.html. Updated October 11, 2009. Accessed May 23, 2011.

Katsuki A, Urakawa H, Gabazza EC, et al. Circulating levels of active ghrelin is associated with abdominal adiposity, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Eur J Endocrinol . 2004;151:573–577

Monti V, Carlson JJ, Hunt SC, Adams TD. Relationship of ghrelin and leptin hormones with body mass index and waist circumference in a random sample of adults. J Am Diet Assoc . 2006;106(6):822-8.

Soares JB, Roncon-Albuquerque R Jr, Leite-Moreira A. Ghrelin and ghrelin receptor inhibitors: agents in the treatment of obesity. Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2008;12(9):1177-1189.

Tschöp M, Weyer C, Tataranni PA, Devanarayan V, Ravussin E, Heiman ML. Circulating ghrelin levels are decreased in human obesity. Diabetes. 2001;50(4):707-709.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Brian Randall, MD
Review Date: 05/2011 -
Update Date: 05/23/2011 -

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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