Which hormone is known to suppress appetite?

Leptin is a hormone primarily produced by adipose (fat) tissue. It plays a crucial role in regulating energy balance by inhibiting hunger, which in turn helps to regulate body weight. When fat stores increase, leptin levels rise, signaling the brain that the body has sufficient energy reserves and thus reducing appetite. Conversely, low levels of leptin signal hunger, encouraging food intake.

The physiological mechanism behind leptin's appetite-suppressing effect involves its action on the hypothalamus, a brain region responsible for hunger regulation. When leptin binds to receptors in the hypothalamus, it activates pathways that promote satiety and decrease food intake. Over time, chronic high levels of leptin can lead to a state of leptin resistance, often seen in obesity, where the body does not respond to the appetite-suppressing signals effectively.

In contrast, other hormones listed in the choices do not have a primary role in appetite suppression. Insulin plays a role in glucose metabolism and can influence hunger, but it is not primarily known for directly suppressing appetite. Ghrelin is known as the "hunger hormone," as it stimulates appetite rather than suppresses it. Cortisol, a stress hormone, can increase appetite and cravings, particularly