What is the hunger hormone that induces eating?

Ghrelin is released both centrally (brain) and peripherally (stomach). It increases gastrointestinal motility. It reduces insulin secretion. Energy intake is the primary regulator of plasma ghrelin level. Circulating ghrelin levels; While it increases in hunger, it decreases in satiety. This mechanism is thought to be a protective response to promote energy intake in underweight and suppress it in overweight.

However, in obesity, ghrelin is not suppressed by food intake. Therefore, this mechanism is an important factor in the etiology of obesity. In fact, it may be a result of obesity resulting from chronic overnutrition. It is secreted by gastric endocrine cells located in the gastric fundus oxyntic glands. It is a powerful appetite stimulant – orexigenic – peptide. Plasma concentration rises only before meal onset and declines after meal intake.

It plays a key role between complex energy balance and neurophysiological mechanisms. It is responsible for the decrease in appetite observed after obesity surgery.