It is one thing to notice an increase in appetite if you have been training or are pregnant; however, if you always feel hungry for no reason, this could mean a hormone misbalance.
Leptin and ghrelin are two hormones that have been recognized to have a major influence on energy balance. Leptin is a master hormone in the body secreted by the adipose tissue that controls hunger, and delivers a signal to your brain telling it that you are full. On the other hand, Ghrelin is a fast-acting hormone, that increases your appetite, and makes you feel hungry. [1]
In order to regulate these hormones, we must control our sugar intake. Sugars make your brain less sensitive to leptin - also called Leptin resistance, which causes you to eat more and pack on the pounds because your brain doesn’t get the message that you are full.
As with all hormone issues, there is no single cause for Leptin resistance. However, there are a few things that we can do to avoid to become leptin resistant or to fix the condition:
1. Cut the refined carbohydrates and sugar
2. Have a balanced diet with healthy fats, protein and vegetables
3. Try to go to bed by 10pm as your body regenerates between 10pm – 2am[2]
Remember that lifestyle also plays a huge role when it comes to controlling cravings. Try to reduce your stress levels by practicing deep breathing, meditation, yoga or any kind of activities that will calm your body and lower your stress hormones.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17212793
[2] The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael T. Murray
