Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionCauses of ChangesSuppressantsStimulantsSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Causes of Changes
Suppressants
Stimulants
Seeking Medical Care
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Healthy Appetite: A General Definition
Generally speaking, a healthy appetite refers to a balanced and appropriate level of hunger and desire for food. It should reflect and support your body’s nutritional needs. Having a healthy appetite also means eating intuitively in response to your natural hunger cues and stopping eating when you’re satisfied.
What Changes Appetite?
Various internal and external factors influence your appetite. For example, processes inside your body may result in feeling more hungry or less hungry. Outside factors also play a role, such as people you’re spending time with or how active you’ve been lately.
Some of the most common factors that impact your appetite are:
Appetite Suppressants
Appetite suppressants are medications or supplements designed to reduce feelings of hunger and help control overall food intake. By influencing your brain’s hunger signals or making your stomach feel fuller, appetite suppressants help reduce the desire to eat.
People often consider using appetite suppressants as part of their weight management strategy, especially when they’re struggling to manage food and calorie intake. However, it’s important to ensure they’re appropriate for you to use alongside other healthy lifestyle habits like improved nutrition and increased physical activity. Only use appetite suppressants under medical supervision.
Examples of appetite suppressants include:
14 Natural Appetite Suppressants to Curb Hunger and Boost Weight Loss
Appetite Stimulants
Appetite stimulants are typically prescribed to people experiencing a poor appetite for a prolonged period of time, such as due to the following:
Examples of appetite stimulants are:
Why Am I Never Hungry?
If You’re Concerned About Your Appetite
It’s normal for your appetite to wax and wane depending on your life circumstances, such as changes to your exercise habits or illness.
However, if you experience ongoing appetite changes and are concerned about an uncontrollable or severe loss of appetite, speak with a healthcare provider. They will work with you to determine the root cause of your appetite changes and suggest the next steps.
If the underlying factors appear to be related to a chronic illness or you’re showing signs of malnutrition, a provider may prescribe medication to help you regain your appetite.
If your appetite changes are related to an eating disorder or otherwise unhealthy relationship with food, a provider may refer you to various medical providers, which might include a registered dietitian, therapist, and medical doctor, to support your recovery.
Summary
There are many reasons why your appetite may have changed. Whether you’re experiencing a significant increase in hunger or are struggling with little to no desire to eat, you should consult a healthcare provider to determine whether appetite stimulants or suppressants are an appropriate treatment. They can help determine the cause of your appetite changes, whether there’s cause for concern, and recommended next steps.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Moris JM, Heinold C, Blades A, Koh Y.Nutrient-based appetite regulation.J Obes Metab Syndr. 2022;31(2):161-168. doi:10.7570/jomes22031Gibbons C, Hopkins M, Beaulieu K, Oustric P, Blundell JE.Issues in measuring and interpreting human appetite (satiety/satiation) and its contribution to obesity.Curr Obes Rep. 2019;8(2):77-87. doi:10.1007/s13679-019-00340-6Hong SH, Choi KM.Gut hormones and appetite regulation.Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2024;31(3):115-121. doi:10.1097/MED.0000000000000859Miller GD.Appetite regulation: hormones, peptides, and neurotransmitters and their role in obesity.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017;13(6):586-601. doi:10.1177/1559827617716376Leng G, Adan RAH, Belot M, et al.The determinants of food choice.Proc Nutr Soc. 2017;76(3):316-327. doi:10.1017/S002966511600286XLandi F, Calvani R, Tosato M, Martone AM, Ortolani E, Savera G, Sisto A, Marzetti E.Anorexia of aging: risk factors, consequences, and potential treatments.Nutrients. 2016;8(2):69. doi:10.3390/nu8020069.Halford JC, Blundell JE.Pharmacology of appetite suppression.Prog Drug Res. 2000;54:25-58. doi:10.1007/978-3-0348-8391-7_2Bansal AB, Patel P, Al Khalili Y.Orlistat. [Updated 2024 Feb 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.Mirzababaei A, Zandkarimi R, Moradi S, et al.The effect of Glucomannan on fasting and postprandial blood glucose in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2022;21(1):1055-1063. doi:10.1007/s40200-022-00993-6Sherman MM, Ungureanu S, Rey JA. Naltrexone/Bupropion ER (Contrave): newly approved treatment option for chronic weight management in obese adults.P T. 2016;41(3):164-72. PMID:26957883Howard ML, Hossaini R, Tolar C, Gaviola ML.Efficacy and safety of appetite-stimulating medications in the inpatient setting.Ann Pharmacother. 2019;53(3):261-267. doi:10.1177/1060028018802816Manikkuttiyil C, Nguyen H.Megestrol. [Updated 2023 Jun 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.Ciriaco M, Ventrice P, Russo G, et al.Corticosteroid-related central nervous system side effects.J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2013;4(Suppl 1):S94-S98. doi:10.4103/0976-500X.120975Ibrahim Abdalla MM.Ghrelin - physiological functions and regulation.Eur Endocrinol. 2015;11(2):90-95. doi:10.17925/EE.2015.11.02.90Hay P.Current approach to eating disorders: a clinical update.Intern Med J. 2020;50(1):24-29. doi:10.1111/imj.14691
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Moris JM, Heinold C, Blades A, Koh Y.Nutrient-based appetite regulation.J Obes Metab Syndr. 2022;31(2):161-168. doi:10.7570/jomes22031Gibbons C, Hopkins M, Beaulieu K, Oustric P, Blundell JE.Issues in measuring and interpreting human appetite (satiety/satiation) and its contribution to obesity.Curr Obes Rep. 2019;8(2):77-87. doi:10.1007/s13679-019-00340-6Hong SH, Choi KM.Gut hormones and appetite regulation.Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2024;31(3):115-121. doi:10.1097/MED.0000000000000859Miller GD.Appetite regulation: hormones, peptides, and neurotransmitters and their role in obesity.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017;13(6):586-601. doi:10.1177/1559827617716376Leng G, Adan RAH, Belot M, et al.The determinants of food choice.Proc Nutr Soc. 2017;76(3):316-327. doi:10.1017/S002966511600286XLandi F, Calvani R, Tosato M, Martone AM, Ortolani E, Savera G, Sisto A, Marzetti E.Anorexia of aging: risk factors, consequences, and potential treatments.Nutrients. 2016;8(2):69. doi:10.3390/nu8020069.Halford JC, Blundell JE.Pharmacology of appetite suppression.Prog Drug Res. 2000;54:25-58. doi:10.1007/978-3-0348-8391-7_2Bansal AB, Patel P, Al Khalili Y.Orlistat. [Updated 2024 Feb 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.Mirzababaei A, Zandkarimi R, Moradi S, et al.The effect of Glucomannan on fasting and postprandial blood glucose in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2022;21(1):1055-1063. doi:10.1007/s40200-022-00993-6Sherman MM, Ungureanu S, Rey JA. Naltrexone/Bupropion ER (Contrave): newly approved treatment option for chronic weight management in obese adults.P T. 2016;41(3):164-72. PMID:26957883Howard ML, Hossaini R, Tolar C, Gaviola ML.Efficacy and safety of appetite-stimulating medications in the inpatient setting.Ann Pharmacother. 2019;53(3):261-267. doi:10.1177/1060028018802816Manikkuttiyil C, Nguyen H.Megestrol. [Updated 2023 Jun 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.Ciriaco M, Ventrice P, Russo G, et al.Corticosteroid-related central nervous system side effects.J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2013;4(Suppl 1):S94-S98. doi:10.4103/0976-500X.120975Ibrahim Abdalla MM.Ghrelin - physiological functions and regulation.Eur Endocrinol. 2015;11(2):90-95. doi:10.17925/EE.2015.11.02.90Hay P.Current approach to eating disorders: a clinical update.Intern Med J. 2020;50(1):24-29. doi:10.1111/imj.14691
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Moris JM, Heinold C, Blades A, Koh Y.Nutrient-based appetite regulation.J Obes Metab Syndr. 2022;31(2):161-168. doi:10.7570/jomes22031Gibbons C, Hopkins M, Beaulieu K, Oustric P, Blundell JE.Issues in measuring and interpreting human appetite (satiety/satiation) and its contribution to obesity.Curr Obes Rep. 2019;8(2):77-87. doi:10.1007/s13679-019-00340-6Hong SH, Choi KM.Gut hormones and appetite regulation.Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2024;31(3):115-121. doi:10.1097/MED.0000000000000859Miller GD.Appetite regulation: hormones, peptides, and neurotransmitters and their role in obesity.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017;13(6):586-601. doi:10.1177/1559827617716376Leng G, Adan RAH, Belot M, et al.The determinants of food choice.Proc Nutr Soc. 2017;76(3):316-327. doi:10.1017/S002966511600286XLandi F, Calvani R, Tosato M, Martone AM, Ortolani E, Savera G, Sisto A, Marzetti E.Anorexia of aging: risk factors, consequences, and potential treatments.Nutrients. 2016;8(2):69. doi:10.3390/nu8020069.Halford JC, Blundell JE.Pharmacology of appetite suppression.Prog Drug Res. 2000;54:25-58. doi:10.1007/978-3-0348-8391-7_2Bansal AB, Patel P, Al Khalili Y.Orlistat. [Updated 2024 Feb 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.Mirzababaei A, Zandkarimi R, Moradi S, et al.The effect of Glucomannan on fasting and postprandial blood glucose in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2022;21(1):1055-1063. doi:10.1007/s40200-022-00993-6Sherman MM, Ungureanu S, Rey JA. Naltrexone/Bupropion ER (Contrave): newly approved treatment option for chronic weight management in obese adults.P T. 2016;41(3):164-72. PMID:26957883Howard ML, Hossaini R, Tolar C, Gaviola ML.Efficacy and safety of appetite-stimulating medications in the inpatient setting.Ann Pharmacother. 2019;53(3):261-267. doi:10.1177/1060028018802816Manikkuttiyil C, Nguyen H.Megestrol. [Updated 2023 Jun 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.Ciriaco M, Ventrice P, Russo G, et al.Corticosteroid-related central nervous system side effects.J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2013;4(Suppl 1):S94-S98. doi:10.4103/0976-500X.120975Ibrahim Abdalla MM.Ghrelin - physiological functions and regulation.Eur Endocrinol. 2015;11(2):90-95. doi:10.17925/EE.2015.11.02.90Hay P.Current approach to eating disorders: a clinical update.Intern Med J. 2020;50(1):24-29. doi:10.1111/imj.14691
Moris JM, Heinold C, Blades A, Koh Y.Nutrient-based appetite regulation.J Obes Metab Syndr. 2022;31(2):161-168. doi:10.7570/jomes22031
Gibbons C, Hopkins M, Beaulieu K, Oustric P, Blundell JE.Issues in measuring and interpreting human appetite (satiety/satiation) and its contribution to obesity.Curr Obes Rep. 2019;8(2):77-87. doi:10.1007/s13679-019-00340-6
Hong SH, Choi KM.Gut hormones and appetite regulation.Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2024;31(3):115-121. doi:10.1097/MED.0000000000000859
Miller GD.Appetite regulation: hormones, peptides, and neurotransmitters and their role in obesity.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017;13(6):586-601. doi:10.1177/1559827617716376
Leng G, Adan RAH, Belot M, et al.The determinants of food choice.Proc Nutr Soc. 2017;76(3):316-327. doi:10.1017/S002966511600286X
Landi F, Calvani R, Tosato M, Martone AM, Ortolani E, Savera G, Sisto A, Marzetti E.Anorexia of aging: risk factors, consequences, and potential treatments.Nutrients. 2016;8(2):69. doi:10.3390/nu8020069.
Halford JC, Blundell JE.Pharmacology of appetite suppression.Prog Drug Res. 2000;54:25-58. doi:10.1007/978-3-0348-8391-7_2
Bansal AB, Patel P, Al Khalili Y.Orlistat. [Updated 2024 Feb 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
Mirzababaei A, Zandkarimi R, Moradi S, et al.The effect of Glucomannan on fasting and postprandial blood glucose in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2022;21(1):1055-1063. doi:10.1007/s40200-022-00993-6
Sherman MM, Ungureanu S, Rey JA. Naltrexone/Bupropion ER (Contrave): newly approved treatment option for chronic weight management in obese adults.P T. 2016;41(3):164-72. PMID:26957883
Howard ML, Hossaini R, Tolar C, Gaviola ML.Efficacy and safety of appetite-stimulating medications in the inpatient setting.Ann Pharmacother. 2019;53(3):261-267. doi:10.1177/1060028018802816
Manikkuttiyil C, Nguyen H.Megestrol. [Updated 2023 Jun 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
Ciriaco M, Ventrice P, Russo G, et al.Corticosteroid-related central nervous system side effects.J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2013;4(Suppl 1):S94-S98. doi:10.4103/0976-500X.120975
Ibrahim Abdalla MM.Ghrelin - physiological functions and regulation.Eur Endocrinol. 2015;11(2):90-95. doi:10.17925/EE.2015.11.02.90
Hay P.Current approach to eating disorders: a clinical update.Intern Med J. 2020;50(1):24-29. doi:10.1111/imj.14691
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