Weak appetite in elderly ties to hormone
By Nathan Seppa
A hormone known to suppress appetite is more abundant in seniors than in young adults and has a greater effect in squelching hunger in elderly people, scientists report. The findings suggest that counteracting this hormone–called cholecystokinin, or CCK–could help elderly people regain a healthy appetite and avoid anorexia, a condition of dangerous weight loss.
Various cells, notably those lining the entry to the small intestine, secrete CCK. Food settling into the lower stomach stimulates the intestinal cells to release the hormone, and CCK then activates the pancreas and gall bladder to produce digestive juices. This release and other CCK provided by nerve cells play a part in shutting off hunger signals. Studies show that giving animals extra CCK can inhibit appetite.