You've tried everything. Eaten less, exercised more, counted calories. But the weight won't budge. What if the problem was never your lack of willpower — but a fuel switch that got stuck?
Topic
Ghrelin
The Hunger Hormone
Ghrelin is often called the 'hunger hormone'—produced primarily in your stomach, it signals to your brain that it's time to eat. Ghrelin levels rise before meals and drop after eating, but this system can become dysregulated by frequent eating, processed foods, and poor sleep. Interestingly, ghrelin levels adapt to your eating patterns: if you regularly eat at certain times, ghrelin rises in anticipation. During fasting, ghrelin initially increases but then stabilizes, which is why hunger often comes in waves rather than continuously intensifying. Understanding ghrelin helps explain why eating patterns matter as much as what you eat.
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Research (1)
Tired of regaining weight after dieting? Research shows that a low-carb diet significantly boosts your daily calorie burn—up to 478 calories for those with high insulin secretion—making long-term weight maintenance dramatically easier.