Understanding Ghrelin: The Hunger Hormone Behind Weight Gain
Weight gain – and the reason behind it | Dr. Maya Rosman
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Hunger is driven by the hormone ghrelin, which increases appetite and affects metabolism. It plays a crucial role in weight management, making dieting challenging due to increased hunger and decreased metabolic rates after weight loss. Factors like sleep, stress, and diet impact ghrelin levels, influencing hunger and fat storage.
- 01Ghrelin, known as the 'hunger hormone,' is secreted by the stomach and signals the brain when food is needed.
- 02Weight loss triggers an increase in ghrelin levels, making it harder to maintain weight loss due to heightened hunger and lowered metabolism.
- 03Factors such as lack of sleep, stress, and extreme dieting can elevate ghrelin levels, exacerbating feelings of hunger.
- 04Incorporating more protein into meals and ensuring good sleep can help stabilize ghrelin levels and improve appetite control.
- 05Understanding ghrelin's role highlights that feelings of hunger during dieting are biological responses rather than a lack of willpower.
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Hunger is often misunderstood as a lack of willpower, but it is primarily driven by the hormone ghrelin, which is secreted by the stomach when empty. Ghrelin not only stimulates appetite but also influences metabolism and fat storage. When individuals lose weight, their bodies respond by increasing ghrelin levels, which can lead to stronger hunger and a decreased metabolic rate, making it difficult to maintain weight loss. Factors such as skipping meals, extreme dieting, lack of sleep, and stress can further elevate ghrelin levels. To manage hunger, incorporating more protein into meals, ensuring adequate sleep, and engaging in regular physical activity can help stabilize ghrelin fluctuations. Ultimately, understanding the biological mechanisms behind hunger can alleviate feelings of guilt or failure associated with dieting, emphasizing that the body's responses are rooted in evolutionary survival mechanisms.
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Understanding ghrelin's role in hunger can help individuals approach dieting more effectively.
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