Nutri Courses

Advisory

Production of the hormone ghrelin

The production of the hormone ghrelin, often referred to as the "hunger hormone," is crucial for regulating our food intake and energy balance. Ghrelin is primarily produced in the stomach and its level in the blood increases before meals and decreases after eating. This hormone stimulates appetite and increases food intake, which can lead to weight gain.

From a nutritional perspective, understanding the role of ghrelin is important because it can affect our eating habits and body weight. For instance, some studies suggest that dietary restrictions can increase ghrelin levels, thus stimulating the feeling of hunger. On the other hand, adequate intake of proteins and healthy fats can help regulate ghrelin levels and promote satiety. Therefore, it is important to monitor not only the quantity but also the quality of consumed foods.

Do you happen to know of any other foods, like fructose, that would support the production of the hormone ghrelin?

Fructose is commonly cited as the dietary component that most promotes the production of the hormone ghrelin. However, there is a difference between concentrated sources of fructose used as a sweetener and fructose commonly consumed from sources like fruit, where ghrelin levels increase significantly more after the ingestion of sweeteners. Furthermore, it is generally accepted that proteins in the diet suppress the production of this hormone the most. That is, ghrelin is produced more in the stomach after the consumption of typically low-protein foods/dishes (= high-carbohydrate and high-fat).

Questions answered by

Mgr. Martin Jelinek
Lecturer and author of the educational system

Mgr. Martin Jelínek has been systematically involved in nutrition education since 1999. He is the founder of ATAC, the educational company behind NutriCourses, and the author of an educational system focused on nutrition, healthy lifestyle, and the practical application of nutrition knowledge.

He graduated from the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University in Brno. Throughout his professional career, he has combined nutrition, education, and the practical application of acquired knowledge. His educational system also includes the ZOF (Zone of Optimal Functioning) learning application, where students turn theory into practical work with meal plans.

In 2007, he launched the first intake of a six-month course focused on the education of nutrition advisors. Over time, this course became the foundation for the further development of the educational system and a range of specialised courses.

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