Leptin is a key hormone that signals fullness to your brain. Produced by fat cells, leptin communicates to the hypothalamus (the appetite regulation center in your brain) that sufficient energy is stored, leading to feelings of satiety. However, it's not the only hormone involved.
Other Hormones Contributing to Fullness
Several hormones contribute to the feeling of fullness after eating. These include:
- Peptide YY (PYY): Released from the small intestine in response to food, contributing to satiety.
- Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1): Also released from the small intestine, it helps regulate blood sugar and promotes feelings of fullness.
- Oxyntomodulin: Another gut hormone that works alongside GLP-1 to reduce appetite.
- Uroguanilin: This hormone, released from the last part of the small bowel, also contributes to feeling full.
These gut hormones work in conjunction with leptin to manage appetite and energy balance. While leptin signals long-term energy stores, these other hormones respond to the immediate intake of food.
The interplay of these hormones is complex and influences appetite regulation, contributing to both short-term and long-term feelings of fullness. Factors like the type of food consumed and individual differences can also affect the production and impact of these hormones.
