Why High-Protein, Low-Fat, And Low-Carbohydrate Diets Suppress Hunger

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Why High-Protein, Low-Fat, And Low-Carbohydrate Diets Suppress Hungerhttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/94388.phpMany popular diet plans are based on changing the proportion of

carbohydrates, proteins, and fats one ingests as a method to promote

weight loss. There has been some controversy regarding the

effectiveness of these diets, but a new study accepted for publication

in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM) could shed light on potential mechanisms by which various diets promote weight loss.

This study examined the relative ability of different nutrient types to

suppress ghrelin, which is secreted by the stomach and is the only

known appetite-stimulating hormone. Circulating ghrelin levels increase

shortly before meals and then decrease promptly after ingestion of food.

" We found that when fat is consumed, levels of ghrelin remain

relatively high, which could in turn stimulate hunger, " said Dr.

-Schubert of the University of Washington School of Medicine in

Seattle, Washington. " Protein consumption resulted in the greatest

suppression of ghrelin over a long period and, interestingly,

consumption of carbohydrates resulted in a strong ghrelin suppression

initially, although subsequent ghrelin levels rebounded well above

baseline. "

In this study, subjects were given three beverages with widely varying

compositions of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins).

Blood samples were taken before the first beverage was ingested and

every 20 minutes for six hours thereafter. Researchers then measured

the ghrelin levels in each sample.

" These findings open the door to future research on the effectiveness

of varying methods of dieting, " said -Schubert. " Improving our

understanding of the regulation of ghrelin by ingested macronutrients

could facilitate rational design of weight-reducing diets. "

Other researchers involved in this study include Joost Overduin, Holly

Callahan, and Cummings of the University of Washington School of

Medicine in Seattle, Washington; and Jianhua Liu, Bruce Gaylinn,

Thorner, and Prudom of the University of Virginia in

Charlottesville, Virginia.

A rapid release version of this paper has been published on-line and will appear in the April 2008 issue of JCEM, a publication of The Endocrine Society.

Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest,

and most active organization devoted to research on hormones, and the

clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society's

membership consists of over 14,000 scientists, physicians, educators,

nurses and students in more than 80 countries. Together, these members

represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology.

The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, land. To learn more

about the Society, and the field of endocrinology, visit our web site

at http://www.endo-society.org. Endocrine Society

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