Ask Dr. Scott Isaacs discussion

Are you eating healthy and exercising regularly but still can't lose weight? Your hunger hormones may be working against you.

This week I have been re-reading chapters in Dr. Isaac's book Hormonal Balance, 3rd edition. Especially of interest are those hunger hormones but I have a question. Just out of curiosity, what happens to those hunger hormones when a young person has anorexia nervosa? Does something in the brain override and cancel out the ghrelin gremlin?

There has been a lot of research with leptin and anorexia. Leptin levels correlate highly with weight, percent body fat suggesting that the physiological regulation of leptin is maintained in relation to nutritional status even at an extreme of low weight and body fat. There is also a possible existence of ghrelin resistance in malnourished states such as caused by eating disorders.
http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/...

Scott, you say that "..there is a possible existence of ghrelin resistance in malnourished states." Does that include long phases of famine? Is the ghrelin the problem when a person that was living on very little food for years is obese? Or is there another problem? And could it be solved with some supplements or some special food? Are questions like that answered in your book?

Angela, The study of hunger hormones in malnourished states (including famine) helps us understand the hormone in broader terms as it applies to weight loss and appetite control. Beat Overeating Now! details many hunger hormones and how you can outsmart them to lose weight and keep it off.