Language
Country/Area
No result found
The energy messenger in your stomach: How does ghrelin help regulate your weight?
Ghrelin, often called the "hunger hormone," is a hormone produced by enteroendocrine cells, mainly from the stomach. The main function of this hormone is to increase people's appetite and increase their food intake. For people who want to control their weight, understanding how ghrelin works and its effects will help improve eating habits and weight management.
The blood concentration of Ghrelin reaches the highest before a meal and then decreases after a meal. This change is directly related to the body's hunger.
The discovery of ghrelin dates back to 1999, when scientists first identified the ghrelin receptor—the growth hormone-secreting hormone receptor (GHS-R). This confirms ghrelin's role in promoting growth hormone release and regulating appetite. The name ghrelin is derived from its growth-promoting function, which makes it closely linked to energy balance and metabolism.
Biological background of ghrelin
Ghrelin is a hormone produced by the GHRL gene, whose mRNA contains four exons. The initially produced 117-amino acid precursor will undergo splicing to generate various forms of ghrelin. Only when octanoic acid is combined with certain amino acids can physiologically active ghrelin be produced. This process is carried out by an enzyme called ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT).
Function and mechanism of ghrelin cells
The function of Ghrelin is not limited to the regulation of appetite. It is also responsible for regulating energy balance, affecting the body's fat storage, glycogen storage, and short-term dissipation of calories. This process requires communication between the stomach and the brain. Ghrelin and nerve signals in the intestines work together to regulate our appetite and eating behavior.
The blood concentration of ghrelin reaches the highest before a meal and then decreases after a meal. This change is directly related to the body's hunger.
The biological process of Ghrelin involves multiple receptors, especially the growth hormone secretion hormone receptor (GHS-R1a). These receptors are expressed on neurons in the hypothalamus and brainstem and are involved in regulating appetite, metabolism, and many aspects of the nervous system. Disorders of ghrelin can also affect people's emotional and mental states, further affecting eating behaviors.
The relationship between ghrelin and weight regulation
Ghrelin is not only an appetite stimulant, but may also play a key role in energy balance and weight regulation. The concentration of ghrelin varies under different dietary conditions, indicating that it acts as a messenger between the body's energy stores and its needs. Studies have shown that changes in ghrelin concentration are closely related to weight gain and loss.
In research, ghrelin injections can stimulate the body's appetite to a certain extent and further increase food intake.
However, the effects of ghrelin are not limited to increased meal frequency, but also affect food-seeking behaviors, including sniffing and searching for food. During several stages of tight energy supply, the release of ghrelin helps push the body into a "food-seeking" state.
Related research and clinical application of ghrelin
Scientific research has found that ghrelin concentrations vary in different health conditions. For example, ghrelin levels are significantly reduced in people who have had bariatric surgery, which may explain why such people are able to maintain a lower weight over time.
In addition, changes in the concentration of ghrelin in certain disease conditions, such as anorexia or obesity, have also attracted widespread attention from researchers.
Due to the importance of ghrelin in energy balance and appetite regulation, related therapies or drugs targeting ghrelin are being developed and may become new methods of diet and weight management in the future.
Conclusion
With changes in modern lifestyles and eating habits, more and more people are facing the challenge of weight management. As the body's "hunger messenger," ghrelin plays a key role in this battle. But have you ever thought deeply about the role of ghrelin in your weight management?
