Simple gut hormone combo makes our brains think we’re full

Many of us would love nothing more than to trick ourselves into believing we are full even as our stomachs remain empty. Now, a new brain imaging study reported in the November issue of the Cell Press journal Cell Metabolism suggests there might just be a way. The key is to go with our guts – just two gut hormones, that is.

The findings suggest that a simple hormone-inspired pill could be the long-sought answer to healthy eating, according to the researchers.

“Obesity is a major and rising problem,” said Waljit Dhillo of Imperial College London. “The central dogma is we need to eat less, but that doesn’t work so well. Understanding how the brain makes us feel hungry and full is an important issue for therapy.”

As lunchtime approaches, our brains get excited at the very thought of that next meal, Dhillo explained. After we’ve eaten, the same foods that seemed so tempting to us in our hunger lose their sway.

The gut hormones peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which are both released into circulation after we eat, are known to play some role in that process. Studies in which people have been given one or the other of those hormones show a reduction in food intake and appetite. Still, no one knew what kind of influence those hormones really have on our brains.
[link to inteldaily.com]

Last Edited by Heretic™ on 10/28/2011 05:10 AM