Hunger is a complex phenomenon, determined in part by neurons located in the hypothalamus, which send signals to the brain telling it that you’re either hungry or sated. Those neurons get their message from hormones, including those called insulin and leptin.
When the body develops a resistance to these messengers, people become more prone to overeating and weight gain. Scientists have begun to suspect that cellular inflammation might be at least partly responsible for allowing these signals to get out of control.
If you’re looking to lose weight, adding exercise rather than just cutting calories may be the way to go. Regular exercise plays an important part in improving leptin resistance and decreasing inflammation.
Several studies have also looked at the effect exercise has on two other hormones thought to control hunger: ghrelin, which stimulates hunger, and peptide YY, which signals satiety and that suppresses appetite.
Apparently, exercise may lower levels of ghrelin, while raising levels of the peptide.
However, physical activity may also raise concentrations of longer-term appetite-stimulating hormones like insulin and leptin which lead to refueling the energy our body has used up.
(Courtesy: Holmes Place)
