MO.3: Deep Dive – Balancing Hunger and Fullness with Ghrelin and Leptin

Approximate reading time: 2 minutes

Ghrelin and leptin are hormones that control hunger and fullness. Ghrelin, made in the stomach, tells your brain when to eat, increasing your appetite and fat storage (Espinoza García, Martínez Moreno, & Reyes Castillo, 2021). Leptin, produced by fat cells, signals when you’re full, helping to reduce food intake and manage energy use (Mechanick, Zhao, & Garvey, 2018).

Studies have found that changes in the genes for ghrelin and leptin can influence how much someone wants to eat, especially foods high in calories, which can lead to obesity (Espinoza García et al., 2021). The balance between leptin and ghrelin, or their ratio, changes based on your diet and body weight, affecting your feelings of hunger and fullness (Adamska-Patruno et al., 2018).

Leptin doesn’t just control appetite; it’s also linked to heart health and obesity. High levels of leptin are associated with heart disease risks (Mechanick et al., 2018). Both hormones also play a role in how we feel and think, impacting our mood and social interactions (MacCormack & Muscatell, 2019).

In short, ghrelin and leptin are key to managing hunger, energy balance, and overall health. Understanding how they work can help address obesity and its related health issues (Espinoza García et al., 2021; Mechanick et al., 2018; Adamska-Patruno et al., 2018; MacCormack & Muscatell, 2019).