Figure 5.

Mechanisms responsible for the protein-induced reduction in food intake. Protein intake leads to the production of specifics hormones that reach the brain via the vagus nerve or bloodstream. Centrally, hormonal signaling reaches different regions of the brain: the nucleus tractus solitarius and the arcuate nucleus (ARC) would be responsible for increased satiety, and protein ingestion would decrease the motivation to eat in the mesolimbic reward system (including the nucleus accumbens). The role of decision-making areas is not yet well understood. CCK, cholecystokinin; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide 1; PYY, peptide YY.