Demystifying the hunger hormone

A new discovery by an American research firm could help control the hunger hormone.
The hormone, called gherlin, was discovered years ago, and since then, scientists have tried to find ways to manipulate the hormone to help people tame their hunger.

Now, researchers at Eli Lilly and Co., have found an enzyme responsible for putting a fatty acid onto the hunger hormone. Without this fatty acid, the hormone might not have the same effect on appetite. The enzyme is called GOAT (gastric O-acyl transferase).

The next step is to look for molecules that could block the enzyme, but researchers warn that this will be a painstaking process that could take months or even years.

Still, every new discovery is a step in the right direction. In the meantime, we'll have to feed our gherlins sensibly.