Hormonal Regulation of Food Intake

The human body is a complex combination of different organs. Some organs help to gain energy; some organs help to distribute that energy. There are also some organs present that help to command the overall human body. If the human body is considered a special complex machine, then there should be a flow of energy to run that machine. This energy is coming from the food. Not only humans, but all animals also intake food to gain energy for their survival. Without taking food, animals will not able to survive. But this food intake process is a very complex method. There is a proper presence of the Central Nervous System to regulate the food intake process. The component under the Central Nervous System that helps to regulate the process is known as the Hypothalamus.

Influence of Hypothalamus on Food Intake

Hypothalamus is a special component present in the human body. The size of the Hypothalamus in the human body is a nearly similar size with an almond. Every animal has the Hypothalamus in their Central Nervous System (CNS). This special component belongs to the brain part of the CNS. As this gland is attached to the brain that is the reason, it is considered a component of the brain. Hypothalamus is just present below the thalamus gland in the skull. The Hypothalamus is considered the main commanding region for hormonal secretion. The pituitary gland works with the help of the Hypothalamus. Hypothalamus has its role in the food intake process.

Hypothalamus is the only region in the human body or animal body that can control the hunger of the body. It stimulates hunger in the human body. That is the reason; humans need to take food then. Not only the food, but the Hypothalamus is responsible for controlling thirst, anger, sex, etc. But the influence of the Hypothalamus is much more in food intake cases. As other processes can be able to handle by other glands in the human body. But the need to take food can only be controlled by the Hypothalamus. Hypothalamus is a combination of different nuclei. Different nuclei are present in the Hypothalamus that control such emotions. Each & every nucleus & neuron present in the Hypothalamus is responsible for a certain trigger for taking food.

Types of Hypothalamic Nuclei For Food Intake Process

In Hypothalamus, there are several numbers of the nucleus are present. Those nuclei are responsible for controlling different emotions. Like some nuclei are responsible for the thirst control process. Some nuclei control the sex involvement process. Like those, there are some nucleus are present that helps in the food intake process. Those can be differentiated into three categories. Each of them is dependent upon the other. Together they help to control the overall food intake process.

Lateral Hypothalamic Nuclei or Feeding Centre

The lateral Hypothalamic Nucleus is a special part inside of the Hypothalamus. This is the region or the sort of nucleus known as the feeding center. This means this is the region that creates a need to take food. Before taking any food, there is a need or desire mandatory. If the body has the need or desire then only they go for such food. This region or set of nuclei handles that emotion. There are Orexinergic neurons are present in this center. And these orexinergic neurons have a network in the entire human body.

Orexinergic is a particular neuron type that always creates a desire for any food. By default, this region is always activated. This means, these regions always send signals for the desire for every food. That means, the Lateral Hypothalamic Nuclei always send signals to eat all the foods. But eating a lot of food will be dangerous for the body. So, another Nucleus center is suppressing that need. That is the reason, the balance is maintained there. The Lateral Hypothalamic Nucleus is always activated can be demonstrated with one experimental discussion.

A group of scientists made one experiment on one mouse. The Lateral Hypothalamic Nuclei section was cut off from the Hypothalamus region. After making the successful surgery, the mouse was alive for some days. But scientists noticed that the mouse stop eating every type of food. There was no desire for food in that mouse. After someday, the mouse died of starvation. So, from that experiment, scientists concluded that the Lateral Hypothalamic Nucleus is the part that helps to wake up the desire for food.

Ventromedial Nuclei or Satiety Centre

Ventromedial Nuclei is another part of the Hypothalamus. This is the next part after the Lateral Hypothalamic nuclei. The function & the process are completely different from each other. This region is known as the Satiety Centre. This means these regions give a break to the need or the desire for food. This means this is the stopping category from eating much more food. After eating some amount of food, based on the condition of the body, this region of the Hypothalamus sends one signal to the Lateral Hypothalamic nuclei. This signal suppresses the desire for food.

In the Ventromedial Nuclei, there are Anorexinergic neurons present. These are the neurons that are opposite of the orexinergic neurons. This means this is the neurons that suppress the need for the desire for food. These neurons originated from this region of the Hypothalamus. Then it moves to different parts of the body. From time to time, these neurons start acting on the orexinergic neurons. Then the Anorexinergic sends the signal to stop eating food. The Ventromedial Nuclei inhibiting the necessary desire for food can be demonstrated using one experiment.

In one experiment on one mouse. Using one high-voltage current, he destroys the Ventromedial Nuclei of that mouse. After doing this experiment, the mouse survived. But there was a significant change in the mouse. The mouse started eating a lot of food. As the Ventromedial nuclei were damaged for that mouse, the desire for eating food can’t be controlled. As a result, the mouse eats a lot & became obese. This is the experiment that proves the Ventromedial Nuclei are responsible for the controlling purpose.

Arcuate Nucleus or Controlling Centre

After those two centers, this is one of the major centers considered. This center is responsible for managing all the processes. So, this center can be treated as a controlling center for the food intake process. This center collaborates influence on the Lateral Hypothalamic nuclei & Ventromedial nuclei. Both of these centers are controlled & managed by the Arcuate Nucleus. There are two different types of neurons are present. This means, there are capable of increasing food desire & decreasing it also.

There are orexinergic & anorexinergic both types of neurons present. The orexinergic neurons directly act on the Lateral Hypothalamic nuclei. This interaction helps to remove the influence of the Ventromedial Nuclei on it. So, the desire for food increases. On the other hand, the anorexinergic neurons act on the Ventromedial Nuclei. This helps to stimulate the Ventromedial nuclei to suppress the Lateral Hypothalamic nuclei. So, for summarizing the purpose, the Arcuate Nucleus acts on the Lateral Hypothalamic nuclei by orexinergic neurons to suppress the influence of Ventromedial Nuclei. And it also acts on Ventromedial Nuclei by anorexinergic neurons to suppress the Lateral Hypothalamic nuclei.

Importance of Hormone Regulation in the Food Intake Process

In the food intake process, the necessity of hormonal regulation is very important. The need for food in the body is transferred to the Central Nervous System with the help of the hormone. Hormones are implemented here as the chemical operator. These operators help to trigger the process of food intake. If the hormonal regulation process is not present in the body, then there will be a complete mess. The body can’t able to identify whether there is a need to take food or not. In those cases, a body might go through a starvation period of the misinterpreting process. Or might be the body can eat more food than necessary. This might bring obesity. So, any extreme ending is not fruitful for humans. So, there is a need to balance. And hormonal regulation performs this balancing factor in a good manner.

Types of Hormones Regulated Food Intake Process

Now, all these nuclei & centers rely upon each other with the help of communication. But as there is no proper means to communicate is present, the communication is done with the help of chemicals. And here, the chemicals are hormones. Each & every specific hormone influences the food intake process. They act upon any of the centers to influence the process. So, there will be three categories based on the centers. In each & every center there will be two types of hormones. One hormone will increase the food desire & another one will decrease it.

Hormonal Influence On Arcuate Nucleus

• Leptin Hormone: Leptin is a special type of hormone. This is not a hormone that helps in regular bodybuilding. Rather, it helps in the food intake process. When the body gets the proper food it starts secreting the Leptin hormone. When the body is full of food, then there will be full of energy. And the Leptin hormone level is stimulated by the energy level in the body. If the energy level decreases, the Leptin in the blood will increase & vice versa. So, when the body gets proper energy in terms of food, the Leptin level gets decreases in the body. This acts on the Arcuate Nucleus region. And helps to reduce the desire for eating.
• Ghrelin Hormone: This is the opposite hormone of the Leptin hormone. This hormone mainly secretes from the stomach or gastrointestinal tract. This hormone gets secreted when the food is deficient. When gastric acid digested all the food in the stomach, it secrets the Ghrelin hormone in the body. The increasing level of the Ghrelin hormone triggers in the Arcuate Nucleus region. This suppresses the influence of the Arcuate Nucleus to reduce the desire for food. So, the body will demand more food at that time. So, this works as the opposite of the Leptin hormone.

Hormonal Influence on Ventromedial Nuclei

• Melanin-Concentrating Hormone (MCH): The MCH hormone is secreted from the Arcuate Nucleus & then it starts acting on the Ventromedial Nuclei. This hormone can work as both orexinergic & anorexinergic. Proper working is dependent upon the level of the hormone. When the hormone is present in a large amount in the blood or secreted more from the Arcuate Nucleus. Then it is a symbol that the body needs more food. The desire for food will high there. On the other hand, if the hormone level reduces rapidly, then there is no need to eat much food. So, the increased level of the MCH works as an orexinergic. And the decreased level of MCH works as anorexinergic.
• Cocaine-Amphetamine Regulated Transcript Hormone (CART): The MCH hormone is the main regulatory hormone in the Ventromedial Nuclei region. But the CART hormone is also considered one of the major stimulating hormones. Its working procedure is the same as the MCH. This means the increased level of CART increases the demand for food. And the low level of CART decreases the need for food. Sometimes, instead of the MCH hormone, the CART hormones secrete from the Arcuate Nucleus. A high intake of tea or coffee can bring a change in the secretion process. But mainly, the MCH hormones secrete the most.

Hormonal Influence on Lateral Hypothalamic Nuclei

• Neuropeptide Y Hormone (NPY): This is a special type of hormone that is secreted from the Arcuate Nucleus. And this acts upon the Lateral Hypothalamic Nuclei. This is completely an orexinergic hormone. This means this hormone helps to increase the demand for food. Already Lateral Hypothalamic Nuclei is known for the desire for food. This hormone increases that further. When the body is in a starvation period for a long time, then this NPY hormone is secreted. This hormone brings an intense desire for carbohydrate food for quick energy gain. Excessive secretion of this hormone brings obesity.
• Orexin Hormone: This is another hormone that works on the Lateral Hypothalamic Nuclei. Depending upon the need for food, this hormone secretes. This hormone can delay the satiety for taking food. This means this hormone helps to wake up the desire for food for some more amount of time. So, the body can necessarily take the required amount of food. But this hormone secretion is very rare. Mainly the NPY hormone helps to implement this feature.

Peripheral Regulators of Appetite

The peripheral regulation of the appetite is mainly controlled by hormones. There are several hormones are present in the abdomen that controls the appetite of any individual. Apart from the satiety signal to the brain, the abdomen also helps in this process. When the stomach is about to be empty, then the motor signal goes to the brain & the overall process starts there. But apart from that, there are some hormones present, that help in controlling the appetite.

• Leptin Hormone: We have already discussed this hormone previously. Leptin is the hormone that sends the signal to the brain that the stomach is now full enough. And there is no need to eat more. Hypothalamus controls the hunger & stops the increasing appetite. Although, some individuals who have a small amount of Leptin witnessed more obesity and this will harm their appetite.
• Ghrelin Hormone: Ghrelin hormone is also discussed previously. It is completely different from the Leptin hormone. It sends a signal to the Hypothalamus that there is a need to eat food now. The stomach of the body is now fully empty. This will increase the appetite of the individual. Thus an individual having a problem with the Ghrelin hormone witnessed a reduced appetite. So, this hormone is crucial for controlling appetite.
• Cortisol Hormone: This is the hormone that is secreted from the Adrenalin gland of the body. It is situated above the kidney. The cortisol hormone is secreted along with the Adrenalin hormone. Both of these hormones are responsible for the fight-or-flight response. During the excitement, these hormones increase the heart rate. As a result, there will be a need for extra energy in the body. Burning some energy stored in the body will balance the factor. And hence, the appetite in the body gets reduced while secretion of the Cortisol hormone is.
• Cholecystokinin Hormone: This is the hormone that is produced from the Gut of any human body. Generally, this hormone is produced when the meal has been taken by the body. And now, the need to digest the food to maintain the appetite. This hormone is regulated by the Hypothalamus & also regulated by the satiety factor. It is the hormone that plays an important role in the maintenance of the appetite.

Pancreatic Hormones

• Insulin Hormone: It is one of the major hormones that is produced by the pancreas of the body. In the pancreas, there are many types of cells are present. Among them, the insulin secretes from the B-Cell. Insulin is mainly from the Peptide category where it has 51 amino acids. Insulin has an important role in maintaining the appetite. Insulin is responsible for reducing the body’s glucose. It helps to store the glucose in the body as the fat format. Also, it stores glycogen in the liver. When there is a need to have extra energy in the body, these fats get discovered & produced more energy.
• Glucagon Hormone: It is another important hormone that is secreted from the pancreas. Among many other cells in the pancreas, it secretes from the A-Cells. Glucagon hormone is also a peptide hormone. This hormone has 29 amino acids chain in it. the working of the glucagon is completely different from the Insulin. It helps to burn the glucose present in the body. And using that process will help to produce more energy in the body. Insulin & glucagon combined define the appetite of an individual.
• Somatostatin Hormone: This hormone is also secreted from the pancreas. It is also considered as the Peptide hormone with 14 amino acids chain. It is mainly secreted from the D-Cell of the pancreas. This hormone acts on the stomach & helps in the digestion process. It slows down the digestion process. It also reduces the effect of HCL secretion in the stomach. This hormone can acts upon the intestine also. Using paracrine signaling, this hormone can reduce the power of the insulin hormone.

Gut Hormones

• Gastrin Hormone: It is one of the significant hormones that is used in the digestion process. It can be classified into two categories. They are Big Gastrin & Small Gastrin. Both of them are secreted from the gastric antrum and duodenum in the intestine. The main goal of this hormone is to regulate the secretion of gastric acid. Gastrin also helps to stimulate the intrinsic factor and secretin in the body. This hormone is also used to increase the inner mucous layer in the stomach. It helps to increase gastric and intestinal motility.
• Secretin Hormone: It is another important hormone that is secreted from the Duodenum and jejunum of the intestine. It also helps to digest the food by increasing some factors. And last, it helps to grow more hunger in the body. It helps to increase the stimulation of the pancreatic acid secretion process. It helps to reduce Gastrin. It reduces the effect of Gastrin. And along with that, gastric acid secretion is also reduced in this case.
• Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP) Hormone: The VIP hormone is not directly secreted from the intestine or the wall of the intestine. It is secreted from the Enteric nerves of the intestine. The main goal of this hormone is to act upon the walls of the intestine. And it helps to expand the walls to secrete more other hormones if it is necessary. It helps to expand the muscles of the Gut, and blood vessels to increase the permeability of the water whenever it is necessary.

FAQs on Hormones Regulated Food Intake Process

Question 1: Which Central Nervous System component knows as the “Hunger Controller”?

Answer:

The Hypothalamus which is connected with the Brain & also belongs to the Central Nervous System is known as the “Hunger Controller” as this region is associated with the food intake process in the human body. Another task of the Hypothalamus is to control thirst & emotions.

Question 2: Which part of the Hypothalamus is known as the Feeding Center?

Answer:

The Lateral Hypothalamic Nuclei are the part that is termed the Feeding Center as this region helps to regulate & wake up the desire for the food intake process. This is a set of neurons & the nucleus that controls the overall process.

Question 3: Which part of the Hypothalamus is known as the Satiety Center?

Answer:

The Ventromedial Nuclei is known as the Satiety Center of the Hypothalamus. This region helps to control the desire for the food intake process. This region helps to end the desire for food at a particular stage to avoid obesity.