A 30-amino acid peptide found in the neurons of the gastrointestinal submucosa. It can inhibit the release of somatostatin, insulin, pancreatic polypeptide, and neurotensin. It serves as a stimulator of food intake.
A peptide neurotransmitter with numerous functions in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. It stimulates gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction and inhibits insulin secretion.
Galanin, a hormone found in the brain, plays a significant role in regulating the body’s fat storage and the desire for high-fat foods. The level of galanin in the body has a direct correlation with the amount of fat stored and the craving for fatty foods. The breakdown of body fat, a high-fat diet (more than 30 percent of calories), or an extended duration between meals can cause the release of galanin. Frequent consumption of food, low-fat diets (20 to 25 percent of calories), and adequate consumption of low-fat protein can reduce the production of galanin.