According to psychguides.com, up to five percent of Americans are addicted to food and for good reason. Human brains are hard wired to seek out and endlessly indulge in calories. If you enjoy more high quality protein, you’re not going to feel like eating as much. That’s because the digestive system produces an appetite suppressant hormone that is activated by protein. It is called Cholecystokinin or CCK. In addition to being an appetite suppressant, it also had anti-obesity effects.

CCK, sometimes referred to as pancreozymin, is synthesized and secreted by intestinal cells located in the duodenum, the first section of the small intestine. Its presence improves digestion and activates the release of pancreatic enzymes and gall bladder bile.

CCK also acts as a hunger suppressant. While elevated CCK levels are unknown, there is research that points to reduced feelings of fullness, satisfaction and an inability to loose weight being associated with low levels of CCK. According to the society of endocrinology, very overweight people tend to have lower levels of CCK too.

If you are looking to loose weight or eat less food, you might want to consider using an amino acid called L-Phenylalanine, a potent simulator of CCK that’s been linked to increases in the satiety inducing bio-chemical. L-Phenylalanine is found in dairy, meat, fish, soybeans and it is available as a nutritional supplement. Try taking 200mg thirty to sixty minutes before meals and you may find yourself eating less food and feeling fuller faster. As a bonus, regular use of L-Phenylalanine is energizing and has stimulating properties that mimic the effects of caffeine.