ABSTRACT The hypothalamus is a master regulator of energy balance in the body. First-order hypothalamic neurons localized in the arcuate nucleus sense systemic signals that indicate the energy stores in the body. Through distinct projections, arcuate nucleus neurons communicate with second-order neurons, which are mostly localized in the paraventricular nucleus and in the lateral hypothalamus. The signals then proceed to third- and fourth-order neurons that activate complex responses aimed at maintaining whole-body energy homeostasis. During the last 30 years, since […]

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of consumption of different protein sources on food intake and energy expenditure in normal weight subjects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Breakfast preparations (casein, soy protein, whey protein or control) were ingested during seven consecutive days. Appetite, food intake, and energy expenditure were assessed. RESULTS: Casein consumption led to a lower energy intake than whey protein. There was lower energy intake on day 7 than on day 1 of the casein […]

Reduction in sleep time has become an endemic condition in modern society and current literature has found important epidemiological associations between damage in the habitual standard of sleep and obesity. On this basis, the present revision analyzed the role of sleep and its alteration in the promotion of obesity. Diverse studies indicate that subjects that sleep less have greater possibility of becoming obese, and the shortening of sleep increases the leptin/grelin reason, generating increase of the appetite and hunger. This […]