From the Research
The ileal brake is a physiological mechanism that slows down the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract when nutrients reach the ileum, and it plays a crucial role in controlling digestion speed, appetite, and food intake. The ileal brake is triggered by the presence of nutrients, particularly fats and proteins, in the ileum, which stimulates the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and cholecystokinin (CCK) 1. These hormones signal the stomach and upper intestines to slow down their contractions, delay gastric emptying, and increase feelings of fullness or satiety. The ileal brake is an important regulatory mechanism for maximizing nutrient absorption and maintaining metabolic health.
Some key points to consider about the ileal brake include:
- The ileal brake is a physiological response to the presence of nutrients in the ileum, and it helps to slow down the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract 2.
- The ileal brake is triggered by the release of hormones such as GLP-1, PYY, and CCK, which signal the stomach and upper intestines to slow down their contractions and delay gastric emptying 3.
- The ileal brake plays a crucial role in controlling digestion speed, appetite, and food intake, and it is an important regulatory mechanism for maintaining metabolic health 4.
- The ileal brake has become a target for some weight loss therapies and bariatric surgical procedures that aim to deliver nutrients to the ileum more quickly to trigger earlier satiety signals 5.
Overall, the ileal brake is a complex physiological mechanism that plays a critical role in regulating digestion and maintaining metabolic health. The ileal brake should be considered an important factor in the management of conditions such as obesity and metabolic syndrome, and it may be a potential target for therapeutic interventions.