“Anti-hunger molecule”: Does exercise really curb our appetite?

Researchers discover “anti-hunger molecule”
Does exercise really curb our appetite?

Sport is good for us both physically and mentally. Ideally, we enjoy it, but in any case, regular exercise keeps us fit and balanced and can help maintain a healthy weight.

But does exercise also affect our appetite? According to a new study According to Stanford University, a strenuous workout actually makes us less hungry. Why is that?

The “anti-hunger molecule” is said to curb appetite

A research team from Stanford University, in collaboration with Baylor University and other universities, has discovered and researched a molecule that apparently makes us eat less after exercising. The substance is called Lac-Phe, more precisely N-Lactoyl-Phenylalanine. It is synthesized from lactate and phenylalanine. Lactate is what our bodies produce when we really push ourselves through exercise, while phenylalanine is an amino acid that helps make proteins.

The researchers led by Jonathan Long sent mice on a treadmill for their study: The rodents had to run fast for a while, after which the team analyzed how the chemicals in the cells of the little animals had changed. Long and his colleagues measured more and more Lac-Phe. Further testing confirmed that it is what Jonathan Long and his team call an “anti-hunger molecule.” The increased Lac-Phe production ensured that the athletic mice ate less than the control group.

According to a study, physical exertion leads to less hunger

In the test, the researchers gave the first group of mice a high-fat diet and high doses of Lac-Phe over a period of ten days. The control group ate normally and did not receive the molecule. The result: the Lac-Phe rodents ate around 30 percent less than the others, also lost weight and had better glucose tolerance.

Another test on racehorses was also able to demonstrate the effect of the “anti-hunger molecule”. In parallel, a colleague of Jonathan Long did a human test and also observed the increase in Lac-Phe after exercise.

Research sees new possibilities in fighting diseases

This discovery is very exciting for the Stanford University team. It could offer completely new options in the fight against obesity, which is a health hazard, and the diseases that result from it. However, a lot of research is still needed before science can really benefit from the find. It needs to be checked whether and how people can actually take advantage of the “anti-hunger molecule” and the reduced appetite after exercise.

However, Jonathan Long is optimistic: “We estimate that the Lac-Phe signaling pathway is responsible for around 25 percent of weight loss through exercise,” explains the study leader in a message on the university website.

Sources used: nature.com, med.stanford.eu., fitbook.de

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Bridget