Which hormone helps regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger?

Which hormone helps regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger?

• A. Ghrelin
• B. Leptin
• C. Insulin
• D. Peptide YY

Answer: (B)

Energy balance is controlled by signals that tell the brain how much stored energy you have. Leptin is a key hormone produced by fat cells that communicates with the brain about those energy stores. When fat mass is high, leptin levels rise and the hypothalamus reduces hunger, partly by dampening the neurons that stimulate appetite and by boosting pathways that increase energy use. This makes leptin a classic long-term regulator of appetite and body weight. Ghrelin, in contrast, rises before meals and promotes hunger, signaling the brain to seek food. Insulin also communicates with the brain to help regulate intake, but its role is closely tied to blood glucose and short-term energy status rather than long-term fat stores. Peptide YY is released by the gut after eating and helps curb hunger as a short-term signal of fullness. While these can inhibit hunger, the description “regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger” is most characteristically tied to leptin’s role as the signal of fat stores that modulates appetite over the long term.

Energy balance is controlled by signals that tell the brain how much stored energy you have. Leptin is a key hormone produced by fat cells that communicates with the brain about those energy stores. When fat mass is high, leptin levels rise and the hypothalamus reduces hunger, partly by dampening the neurons that stimulate appetite and by boosting pathways that increase energy use. This makes leptin a classic long-term regulator of appetite and body weight.

Ghrelin, in contrast, rises before meals and promotes hunger, signaling the brain to seek food. Insulin also communicates with the brain to help regulate intake, but its role is closely tied to blood glucose and short-term energy status rather than long-term fat stores. Peptide YY is released by the gut after eating and helps curb hunger as a short-term signal of fullness. While these can inhibit hunger, the description “regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger” is most characteristically tied to leptin’s role as the signal of fat stores that modulates appetite over the long term.