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Ghrelin Resistance

Meaning

Ghrelin Resistance is a state of impaired cellular responsiveness to the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin, where the target tissues, primarily in the hypothalamus and pituitary, fail to respond appropriately to the circulating signal. Ghrelin, often termed the ‘hunger hormone,’ normally rises before meals to stimulate appetite and falls afterward, but resistance disrupts this critical energy balance feedback loop. This resistance is often observed in conditions of chronic over-nutrition or obesity, contributing to a dysregulated appetite control system and perpetuating a positive energy balance, which has significant downstream effects on metabolic and hormonal health.