The effect of dietary medium chain and long chain triglycerides on acyl ghrelin and relationships to hunger and satiety

Ghrelin, a gut hormone that stimulates hunger, requires acylation by an 8-carbon fatty acid to become active, but its source is unclear. This randomized crossover study examined whether dietary fat influences ghrelin activation. Twenty-one participants consumed isocaloric low-fat, high-fat, and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) diets, with ghrelin levels and hunger assessed over 13.5 hours. Acyl ghrelin was significantly higher on the MCT diet compared to other diets, and participants reported greater hunger and lower fullness. Findings suggest dietary fat, particularly MCTs, contributes to ghrelin acylation and may mediate increased hunger, offering insight into mechanisms regulating appetite.