How to Balance Your Hunger Hormones

Your body is a complex machine, and hormones act as its internal communication system. They play a role in everything from your energy levels and your mood to how hungry you feel.

When it comes to appetite and weight management, two hormones take center stage: ghrelin and leptin. Understanding how these hormones work can be a powerful tool in your quest to achieve a healthy weight.

Ghrelin: The Hunger Hormone

What is Ghrelin?

Ghrelin’s main job is to signal to your brain that your stomach is empty and it’s time to eat. It’s primarily produced in your stomach, with smaller amounts also coming from your small intestine, pancreas, and brain.

How Ghrelin Signals Hunger

When your stomach is empty, ghrelin levels rise. Ghrelin then travels to the brain and targets the hypothalamus, which is the region responsible for regulating hunger and appetite. Once ghrelin binds to specific receptors in the hypothalamus, it triggers a cascade of signals that ultimately make you feel hungry.

Factors that Increase Ghrelin

Besides the obvious trigger of an empty stomach, other factors, such as stress and sleep, can influence your ghrelin levels.

Chronic stress can lead to elevated ghrelin, making you feel hungrier and potentially increasing your drive to eat more. When you’re sleep-deprived, ghrelin production increases while leptin—the fullness hormone—drops. This can lead to intense hunger cues and difficulty controlling your appetite.

Leptin: The Fullness Hormone

What is Leptin?

Whereas ghrelin tells your body to eat, leptin tells it to stop eating. Leptin is a hormone primarily produced by fat cells. The more fat your body carries, the more leptin it produces. Leptin’s main function is to communicate to your brain that you have enough energy stores and don’t need to consume more food.

How Leptin Reduces Hunger

Much like ghrelin, leptin travels to the hypothalamus in your brain. There, it works in opposition to ghrelin, suppressing hunger and promoting feelings of fullness (satiety).

When your leptin levels are high, your brain receives the message that your body is well-nourished, decreasing your appetite and making it easier to resist unnecessary snacking.

What Causes Leptin Resistance?

 Leptin resistance is a complex issue and is often associated with obesity.

In a healthy system, a higher level of body fat leads to higher leptin levels, sending a stronger fullness signal to the brain. However, in some individuals, the brain becomes less sensitive to leptin’s effects. This resistance to leptin causes the brain to not detect leptin signals, even when they’re high. As a result, despite having sufficient energy stores, the brain still feels “starved,” leading to increased hunger and a greater tendency to overeat.

Signs of Hunger Hormone Imbalance

When your ghrelin and leptin levels are out of sync, you may experience a range of symptoms that make it difficult to manage your appetite and overall weight. Here are some examples of what you might experience if you have chronically high ghrelin or leptin resistance.

Symptoms of High Ghrelin

If your ghrelin levels are consistently elevated, you might experience the following signs:

• Constant hunger. You always feel like you need to eat, even shortly after meals.
• Intense cravings. Cravings, particularly for sugary or high-carb foods, become more frequent and difficult to ignore.
• Difficulty losing weight. Despite efforts to manage portions or exercise, weight loss becomes more challenging.

Symptoms of Leptin Resistance

When leptin signaling isn’t working correctly, you might notice:

• Not feeling full. You may find yourself eating larger portions and not feeling truly satisfied after a meal.
• Increased food intake. Your overall appetite increases, making it harder to manage your calorie intake.
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight. Because leptin resistance disrupts your body’s energy balance, it can lead to weight gain or make it difficult to lose existing weight.

While these symptoms offer clues, the only way to definitively diagnose a hunger hormone imbalance is through a blood test ordered by your doctor. A blood test will measure your exact levels of ghrelin and leptin and give your healthcare provider a clearer picture of how these hormones may be contributing to your appetite and weight struggles.

Supplements to Help Support Hunger Hormones

While a healthy diet and lifestyle are the foundation for balancing your hunger hormones, certain supplements may offer additional support. You can find the following here at Cornerstone Pharmacy & Compounding:

HUM Nutrition Counter CravingsTM

Counter Cravings contains a blend of chromium, seaweed extract, and L-theanine. Chromium helps regulate blood sugar levels, potentially reducing cravings caused by blood sugar fluctuations. Seaweed extract may aid in weight management, and L-theanine—an amino acid found in green tea—can promote relaxation and help manage stress-related eating.

Pure Encapsulations Relora®

This proprietary blend of magnolia and phellodendron extracts has shown promise in managing stress, which can indirectly impact hunger hormones like ghrelin. Relora may also promote satiety, helping to reduce overall food intake.

Pure Encapsulations PureLean Satiety®

PureLean Satiety targets multiple aspects that contribute to appetite control. It includes DNF-10, a patented ingredient that promotes feelings of fullness; ashwagandha, to support stress management and promote well-being; and chromium, for healthy blood sugar balance.

CarbCrave Complex

Designed to specifically address carb cravings, CarbCrave Complex focuses on supporting the production of neurotransmitters that play a role in mood and appetite regulation. It contains 5-HTP, DL-phenylalanine, rhodiola, and ashwagandha. These ingredients may help curb cravings and support a healthy stress response.

Supplements should always be viewed as complementary to a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep. They are not a replacement for these essential lifestyle practices. It’s crucial to consult your doctor before starting any new supplements, especially if you take medication or have existing health conditions.

Contact Cornerstone Pharmacy & Compounding to Balance Your Hunger Hormones

If you’re struggling with your appetite or weight, understanding your hunger hormones is key. When they’re out of sync, you can feel like you’re constantly battling your own body. Be sure you’re eating right, exercising often, sleeping well, and controlling stress.

If you need extra support, Cornerstone Pharmacy & Compounding is here to help. Get the expert care you deserve and access to professional-grade supplements that can help support your hunger hormones. Reach out today to start taking control of your health.