Satiety
Abstract
Bulimia Nervosa(BN) is caused by many factors, according to research. The most significant problem for BN is the period when the person takes large amounts of energy without conscious control. The important factor of this is unconscious action is satiety. In this research, the definition of satiety will be provided, and the paper will further discuss the causes and possible solutions for dysregulated satiety among people with Bulimia Nervosa.
Key words: Bulimia Nervosa, energy, satiety
Satiety Definition
Research shows that satiety is altered in a person who has bulimia nervosa(Brooks et al., 2011). The definition of satiety, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is “ the state of being completely satisfied, especially with food or pleasure, so that you could not have any more”. Sadly, the altered satiety in people with BN leads to no signal of satisfaction after eating a meal, big or small. The lack of pleasure leads them to seek more comfort in food. This starting essay can help the readers to have a deeper understanding of satiety biologically.
What impacts satiety
Satiety usually is controlled by hormonal signals that interact with the gastrointestinal tract. Most importantly, the lack of hunger that is caused by satiety can lead to a huge amount of intake without conscious control. In a general way, satiety usually starts with positive feedback of food intake and ends with negative feedback for inhibition of further ingestion. The circulated pattern brings homeostasis. The main problem of BN is the dysregulated cycle. (Smith et al., 2002). The human body is an adaptive “smart machine”, the body usually alters its cycle path according to the eating habit. However, after times of fasting and binge eating, the signaling process of the satiety cycle is messed up, which leads to the inability to identify fullness and hunger (Hannon-Engel, 2012). One of the main components of this cycle is called Cholecystokinin(CCK), which is the main negative feedback mechanism. Research shows that CCK increases nervous response to gastric distention, which reminds the brain that the belly is full enough and the eating behavior should be terminated. People with Bulimia often show enlarged gastric space, which confused the CCK response and prolonged the eating time, and increases the food intake (Devlin et al., 1997).
Other hormones that can influence satiety are Glucagon-like peptide 1(GLP-1), which presents in the small intestine and colon and responds to nutrient intakes. Peptide YY(PYY) is another hormone that helps nutrient absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
Satiety Recovery
From a biological perspective, gaining, or regulating satiety means regulating the checkpoints at the gastrointestinal tract. One of the macronutrients that can help people to regulate the satiety cycle is protein. Many pieces of research have proven that protein helps to reduce food intake by stimulating hormone signals during digestive processes.
Not only protein, fat, and carbohydrates can also help to induce satiety. Fat helps to delay the digestive process while stimulating satiety through the ileal brake. Oil-rich products (in pinolenic acids, like pine nut oil) can also reduce food intake, while the specific mechanism is not clear.
Glycemic index(GI) demonstrates glucose influence after a certain food is taken. A low GI food proves to reduce energy intake by increasing hormones that can influence satiety. After a long trial of tests, research even shows a naturally reduced food intake habit after eating low GI food for a while (Warren et al., 2003).
Conclusion
In conclusion, satiety is assisted by several gastrointestinal hormones. Generally, a cycle of positive feedback and negative feedback is provided to provide the feeling of fullness. However, the continuously fasting and binge eating habit by people with BN confused the regulating process and enlarged the gastric space.
A high-protein, low processed, and low glycemic index(GI) diet is suggested to the people who have issues with dysregulated satiety and suffering BN. A correct and credible food plan and suggestion are needed, and further research about satiety is also needed to have a more comprehensive understanding.
Resources
Brooks, S. J., O′Daly, O. G., Uher, R., Friederich, H., Giampietro, V., Brammer, M., . . . Campbell, I. C. (2011). Differential neural responses to food images in women with BULIMIA versus anorexia nervosa. PLoS ONE, 6(7). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0022259
Devlin MJ, Walsh BT, Guss JL, Kissileff HR, Liddle RA, Petkova E. Postprandial cholecystokinin release and gastric emptying in patients with bulimia nervosa. Am J Clin Nutr. 1997 Jan; 65(1):114-20.
Hannon-Engel, S. (2012, January). Regulating satiety in bulimia nervosa: The role of cholecystokinin. Retrieved February 25, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4625980/
Satiety. (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2021, from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/satiety
Smith GP, Gibbs J. Peripheral physiological determinant of eating and body weight. In: Fairburn CG, Wilson GT, editors. Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook. New York: Guilford Press; 2002. pp. 11–15.
Warren JM, Henry CJK, Simmonites V. Low glycemic index breakfasts reduced food intake in preadolescent children. Pediatrics. 2003;112:414–9.