How Protein Suppresses Appetite

High protein diets are successful, at least in the short term. Recent research published in the July 5 issue of Cell proposes a mechanism showing how protein suppresses appetite. When protein is ingested, it is broken down into peptides, or chains of amino acids. As an aside, stomach acid is necessary for this to occur optimally. People on acid-blocking or proton-pump inhibitor drugs do not break down proteins well. These peptides are also referred to as oligo-peptides. These oligo-peptides travel through the intestinal cells to the portal vein. There they act upon u (mu) receptors found in the portal vein nervous system at the intestinal outlet. Messages are sent to the brain, which in turn sends messages that trigger messages to begin gluconeogenesis, or the conversion of protein to glucose. This process itself causes an appetite suppressing message to be sent to the brain. 
I recommend that my patients eat some protein with every meal, including breakfast. It does help suppress the appetite, so that by the time the next meal comes along, you're not so ravenous and likely to overeat. 


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