Can hunger improve your mental state?
Posted by: Uticopa in depression on Jun 01, 2008
In the recent research conducted by Dr Michael Lutter and his colleagues from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, it has been discovered that restricting food intake over period of 10 days makes the ghrelin levels (also known as the ‘hunger hormone’) rise and has a positive effect on the mental state – a similar effect to that of the antidepressants. It showed a reduction in signs of anxiety and depression.
Previously it had been suggested that blocking the body’s reaction to this hormone may have been a possible treatment for weight – loss. However, this study on mice has illustrated that after a period of food restriction, they had 4 times the normal level of the ‘hunger hormone’ and although the signs of depression and anxiety decreased, they displayed some unwanted side-effects such as increased food intake and body weight.
The study has illustrated that there is a link between the ‘hunger hormone’and, the symptoms of depression and weight, however a lot more research is needed to determine if ghrelin hormone also plays a role in depression and anxiety in humans.
Link to the original article: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2008/06June/Pages/Moodeffectsofhungerhormone.aspx
