2 Opposing Hormones of Obesity

Why do we have food craves and why does it seem to be uncontrollable. Certainly many of our food habits seem to have a socio-cultural component to them. We eat at festivities, religious events, business meetings or at times we wish to celebrate an accomplishment. In our culture we habitually eat according to a condtioned set of time, but we often eat outside of these times also, why?
For a long time we have looked at how the rapid rate of absoprtion of some foods, particularly carbohydrates, appear to have an effect on us by rebounding. We eat the sweet and quickly thereafter still have more hunger.

There are receptors for glucose that sense the level of sugar in our blood to signal the brain when to kick it back up again, but new science is looking at a vast new connection that links our gut to our brain in various different ways.

The gut peptide Gherlin made in the stomach causes an increase of appetite usually before we eat and even afterwards. Studies in bariatric surgery show that a removal of part of the stomach that makes Gherlin reduces appetite as well.The peptide signals to the brain the urge to eat again, but further than that it is associated with the "reward" sensation of fulfillment after we eat.

The higher brain centers are associated with dopamine which also is a stimulus for feeling sensual. It's not too far of a stretch to see that engorging ourselves with favorite snacks(crave) gives us a satisfaction that is highly euphoric almost orgasmic.

Scientist have also learned that the lack of sleep is related to higher Ghrelin secretion into the blood. Lack of sleep is associated also with the development of type 2 diabetes. In a country with a high rate of insomnia it is not difficult to see why we continue also to see a rise in the rate type 2 diabetes as well.

But, there is another biochemical that competes with Ghrelin called Leptin. Leptin is made in fat cells and higher concentrations of it allows better metabolism of burning fat calories. Leptin also signals the brain to tell the body to stop eating and gives the sense of satiety.

We can see that there is a wide "overlap" of biochemicals , hormones and peptides that effect our eating patterns, sleep patterns and stimulate aspects of gratification .

Ghrelin, Leptin, dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, thyroid hormone and a whole host of other gut peptides such as CCK, NPY and G-1 P are demonstrating the broader implications that metabolism has on our lifestyle habits beyond just mere eating.The new direction of appetite control is being sought more in these areas in future treatments as well.

Learn more about a healthy lifestyle at www.fitfamily360.com

Marcus Wells, MD, MPH is a prevention advocate who is the author of the book "Fit Family"

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