Cebu City - The human body is composed of various hormones and each of them has a unique function in every bodily process. Hormones are the chemical messengers in our body sending signals into the different tissues in our system and in the bloodstream. Basically, hormones are essential in life and in health.

Leptin and ghrelin are both referred as “hunger hormones” because they affect the appetite of an individual. Leptin is considered as the “appetite suppressor”. This hormone plays a big role in energy balance. Leptin will help in giving signal to the brain that the body has enough energy stores. Leptin is made by fat cells, in general, the more body fat an individual has, the higher the level of leptin in the body.

Ghrelin on the other hand is known as the hormone that increases appetite. Ghrelin is released primarily in the stomach and this hormone is thought to signal hunger to the brain. It is expected that if a person is undereating, ghrelin in the body will increase and when an individual is overeating, ghrelin in the body will decrease.

Too much body fat can alter the natural function of leptin which is to suppress appetite. In some ways, high levels of body fat can cause leptin resistance. Leptin resistance is somehow like insulin resistance where there is so much insulin produced but the body is resistant to its effects.

Bottomline, having too much body fat can alter some of the normal function of hormones. It is still advised to follow a healthy lifestyle to ensure optimum bodily functions and processes. Use Pinggang Pinoy (https://tinyurl.com/yrv6586b) as your guide. // PDO I Noah Vincent D. Gallo, RND

Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22464-hormones
https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/your-hunger-hormones#:~:text=Leptin%20is%20a%20hormone%2C%20made,higher%20when%20you're%20fat.
https://www.precisionnutrition.com/leptin-ghrelin-weight-loss