Biology Class Notes series: GHRELIN- What’s making it so hard to lose weight?

Dr. Dave here, with a review of the hormone ghrelin. Ghrelin is a hormone that plays an important role in regulating and maintaining vital functions in the body. It’s also known as the hunger hormone, as it helps to control feelings of hunger and fullness. But ghrelin does much more than just regulate appetite – it has multifaceted functions that affect many aspects of our health.

 

Research has shown that ghrelin plays a role in energy homeostasis, acting as a peripheral signal from the stomach to provide information to the central control system about energy balance. It can also affect reproductive function and even influence mood.

 

 

Ghrelin is produced mainly by the oxyntic glands in the stomach, but other tissues such as the hypothalamus, pancreas, small intestine, heart and kidney also produce it. It’s released into the bloodstream when we’re hungry and decreases when we eat.

 

So if you’re looking for ways to maintain your weight or improve your overall health, understanding how ghrelin works could be beneficial. Knowing how this hormone affects us can help us make better decisions about our diet and lifestyle choices.