Introduction to the Hormone Leptin and its Effects on Appetite

There are two main hormones that are known to maintain the balance of appetite: ghrelin and leptin. While ghrelin is responsible for the sensation of being hungry after a period (approximately 4-5 hours for an average person) of no food intake, leptin is responsible for feeling full after a meal. A sporadic disorder (occurring in about 1 out of 4.4 million people, with around 20 diagnosed cases) called congenital leptin deficiency, results in the patient being leptin-deficient and most likely overweight, with several other health concerns. Fortunately, this disorder can be treated by the administration of the chemical.