Category Gut Health

Why Do I Feel Hungry All The Time?

April 2, 2025 Comments Off Gut Health

Article first published on G&L Surgical

Feeling hungry all the time can be frustrating, especially when it doesn’t seem related to how much you eat. Hunger isn’t just about food; it’s a complex system involving hormones, your digestive system, and even your daily habits. By understanding how this process works, you can uncover what might be causing persistent hunger and take steps to manage it effectively.

In this article, we’ll explore how hunger is regulated, how your digestive system signals fullness, and potential reasons you might feel hungry all the time—including diet, hydration, sleep, and gastrointestinal (GI) issues.

How Does Hunger Work?

Hunger is your body’s way of signaling that it needs energy. This process is driven by a mix of hormonal signals, brain responses, and physical sensations. Two key hormones play a big role in hunger: ghrelin and leptin.

Ghrelin: Often called the “hunger hormone,” ghrelin is produced in the stomach and signals the brain when it’s time to eat. When your stomach is empty, ghrelin levels rise and communicate with the hypothalamus—a part of the brain that controls appetite. After you eat, ghrelin levels drop, making you feel satisfied.
Leptin: Known as the “fullness hormone,” leptin is produced by fat cells and tells your brain when your body has enough energy stored. However, in some cases, like obesity, the brain may not respond to leptin signals properly, leading to persistent feelings of hunger.

Hunger can sometimes be confused with emotional triggers like boredom or stress, which may prompt you to eat even when your body doesn’t need food. Practicing mindful eating can help you differentiate between physical and emotional hunger.

What Is The Digestive System’s Role in Fullness?

Your digestive system plays an active role in helping you feel full. The stomach and intestines have mechanisms that signal the brain when you’ve eaten enough.

Stretch Receptors: These receptors in the stomach detect when it’s full and send signals to the brain to reduce hunger.
Gut Hormones: Hormones like peptide YY (PYY) and cholecystokinin (CCK) are released after eating. These hormones slow digestion and create a feeling of satisfaction, helping you avoid overeating.

If these signals are disrupted—due to certain medical conditions or lifestyle factors—you may experience persistent hunger even after eating a full meal.

Why Do I Find Myself Persistently Hungry?

If you find yourself constantly hungry, there are several possible explanations. Understanding the root cause can help you make the right changes.

Gastrointestinal Conditions

Certain GI conditions can mimic hunger by interfering with normal digestive processes:

Gastritis or GERD: These conditions increase stomach acidity, which can feel like hunger even when it’s not.
Delayed Gastric Emptying: When food moves too slowly from the stomach to the intestines, it can disrupt hunger and fullness signals.

Dietary Choices

What you eat can significantly impact how full you feel after meals:

Low-Protein Meals: Protein is essential for keeping you full. Meals that are low in protein may leave you feeling hungry soon after eating.
Refined Carbohydrates: Foods like white bread and sugary snacks cause quick spikes in blood sugar, followed by crashes that trigger hunger.
Low Fiber Intake: Fiber slows digestion and adds bulk to meals, promoting longer-lasting fullness.

Dehydration

Your body sometimes mistakes thirst for hunger, leading to unnecessary snacking. Drinking a glass of water before meals can help you determine if you’re truly hungry or just dehydrated.

Sleep Deprivation

Lack of sleep disrupts the balance of hunger-regulating hormones. It increases ghrelin (hunger hormone) while reducing leptin (fullness hormone), which can lead to overeating.

Stress or Emotional Eating

Stress, anxiety, or boredom can trigger emotional eating, where you eat for comfort rather than physical hunger. Identifying these emotional triggers and practicing mindful eating can help curb this habit.

How Can I Address Persistent Hunger?

Managing constant hunger involves addressing both your diet and lifestyle. Making small but intentional changes can go a long way in restoring balance.

Improve Dietary Choices

Start by improving your dietary habits. Eating meals rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats can stabilise hunger levels and keep you satisfied for longer. Foods like lean meats, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fresh produce are excellent choices.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is equally important. Drinking water throughout the day helps prevent confusion between thirst and hunger. If plain water isn’t appealing, try herbal teas or fruit-infused water to stay hydrated.

Prioritise Sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial for hunger regulation. Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night to support hormonal balance and prevent overeating. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help improve your sleep quality.

Manage Stress

Stress management also plays a role. Activities like meditation, yoga, or journaling can reduce stress levels and minimize emotional eating. Recognizing when you’re eating out of boredom or anxiety can help you redirect your energy into healthier habits.

Seek Medical Guidance

If your hunger persists despite these efforts, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional. GI conditions like gastritis or leptin resistance may require medical intervention.

Our doctor and friendly staff will be happy to help you understand what your underlying cause of persistent hunger may be caused by.

The Bigger Picture: Listening to Your Body

Hunger is a natural and essential signal, but when it becomes persistent or unmanageable, it’s worth taking a closer look at what’s driving it. By understanding the connections between hormones, your digestive system, and lifestyle factors, you can take steps to address the root cause and regain control over your appetite.

If you’re concerned that persistent hunger might be linked to a deeper issue, contact G & L Surgical Clinic. Our team is here to help you uncover the underlying cause and find a solution tailored to your needs.

Gen Zen: What does taking a healthy dump have to do with your mental health? A lot more than you think

March 5, 2024 Comments Off Gut Health

Article first published on TODAY Online

Increasingly, people are becoming aware of the importance of mental health and well-being in our lives. In our weekly Gen Zen series, TODAY looks at ways that we can feel better while coping with the mental stresses of modern life.

Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and depression can influence gut health through the release of stress hormones
Yet, poor gut health can also affect mental health
This is when microorganisms in the gut are out of balance and produce chemicals that affect the person’s mood
The first step to a healthier gut and mind is a diet that promotes gut health
There should also be more collaboration between mental health professionals and gastroenterologists to provide better care for patients

SINGAPORE — Late last year, I chanced upon a website that made an outlandish promise: Get paid US$500 (S$670) each time you donate your stool.

The website was promoting faecal microbiota transplantation, which is a procedure where faecal matter from a healthy donor is transferred to a gut of a recipient to restore the “balance” of microorganisms that live in the digestive tract, and this improves their immunity and digestion.

However, there was a catch — it is estimated that only 0.1 per cent of the human population is considered healthy enough to qualify as high-quality stool donors.

As expected, there were some physical factors: The donor has to be young (preferably under 30), athletic, have a certain stool type and have minimal antibiotic use, since these affect the microorganisms in the gut.

Then, to my surprise, there were psychological requirements as well: A successful donor is typically happy and relatively stress-free, or in other words, is in the pink of mental health. ‘It got me wondering:

What does mental health have to do with gut health, and can eating food beneficial to our gut also help our mood as well?

HOW STRESS, ANXIETY AFFECT GUT HEALTH

I put some questions to Dr Ganesh Ramalingam, who is medical director and specialist in general surgery of G&L Surgical Clinic.

He said that psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and depression can indeed influence gut health, through the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.

“These stress hormones can affect how our gut works by changing how quickly food is digested, weakening the intestinal walls and disturbing the balance of helpful bacteria inside the gut,” Dr Ganesh said. He specialises in upper gastrointestinal surgeries, among other procedures.

This gut-brain link made sense to me — whenever I felt anxious before making a speech in public, or felt nervous about the outcome of a job interview or test result, I would feel my stomach turn and lose all appetite for hours on end.

And likewise, our gut health can also affect our mental health.

“Inside our gut there are organisms called microbiota that help produce chemicals that affect our mood like serotonin and dopamine,” Dr Ganesh said.

“When these microbes are out of balance due to factors like diet or medication, it can contribute to mood disorders like anxiety and depression.”

Indeed, a study in 2019 with a sample size of more than 1,000 participants found that two “beneficial bacteria” for the gut — coprococcus and dialister — were less common in people with depression. Such bacteria can be cultivated by consuming fruit, vegetables, whole grains and fermented foods.

Another study conducted in Spain in 2009 showed that people who ate the traditional Mediterranean diet — which consists of whole grains, fruit, vegetables, fish, beans and nuts — were about half as likely to receive a diagnosis of depression within a span of four years.

FIRST STEP TO MANAGING GUT HEALTH: OUR DIET

For those looking to improve their diet and live a healthier life, it may be heartening to know that it can improve their mental health, too.

“What we eat can have an impact on both our gut and mental health,” Dr Ganesh said.

“A diet packed with fibre, fruit, vegetables and probiotics supports gut health, which in turn can positively influence mental well-being.”

The reverse is also true.

“But if we’re loading up on processed foods and unhealthy fats, it can throw gut bacteria out of balance, making us more prone to mental health issues,” Dr Ganesh added.

This can also turn into a vicious circle if left unchecked: The stress and anxiety triggered by a bad diet can lead to more gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to poorer mental health.

HOW TO MANAGE BOTH MENTAL AND GUT HEALTH

When it comes to improving mental health, there is recognition that sports and exercise play a big role. Perhaps it is time other factors such as gut health are taken more seriously as well, Dr Ganesh said.

He believes that the link between gut health and mental health means that a “multidisciplinary approach” is needed.

“In my view, mental health professionals can include gut health assessments in their treatments, considering factors like diet, stress and gastrointestinal symptoms,” he said.

They might then suggest dietary changes alongside other stress management treatment and even refer their patients to gastroenterologists if their gut problems are suspected to be affecting their mental health.

Similarly, gastroenterologists could ask about patients’ mental health during consultations and work with mental health professionals as needed.

“They can also educate patients on the gut-brain connection and suggest lifestyle and diet changes,” Dr Ganesh said.

What’s The Difference: Gut Health Test VS Scopes

October 26, 2023 Comments Off Gut Health

Article first published on G&L Surgical

An individual’s overall health and well-being are interconnected with their gut health. Various tools and tests are available to ensure the gut functions properly, two of which are gut health tests and scopes. Both have their unique place in health assessments, yet they vary significantly regarding their procedure and purpose.

This article aims to delve deeper into these two assessment approaches, dissecting their characteristics and differences and providing guidance on choosing between them.

Understanding Gut Health Tests

Gut Health Test Singapore, AMiLi Test, G&L Surgical, Dr Ganesh Ramalingam

Gut health tests offer a comprehensive picture of an individual’s digestive system. The primary purpose of these tests is to evaluate the health and diversity of the gut microbiome – the army of trillions of microorganisms that inhabit the gut. A healthy gut microbiome is crucial as it can influence everything from digestion to mental health and even immunity.

Through a simple stool sample collected at home, gut health tests can reveal the types of bacteria present, their relative abundance, and the overall balance of beneficial and harmful species. Additionally, these tests can shed light on your body’s ability to break down dietary fibre, an essential function linked with bowel regularity, cholesterol management, and blood sugar control.

Inflammatory markers are another key parameter measured by gut health tests. Chronic inflammation in the gut can lead to conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). By measuring these markers, a gut health test can potentially identify signs of inflammation before they become symptomatic.

Gut health tests are appreciated for their non-invasive nature and accessibility. The procedure involves the comfortable privacy of your home and the ease of using a collection kit sent by mail. It’s a user-friendly option that empowers individuals to take control of their gut health.

However, gut health tests have limitations. While they provide valuable insights into the microbiome and inflammation, they aren’t designed to detect anatomical abnormalities or more serious underlying conditions like ulcers or malignancies. For these concerns, a more in-depth examination may be necessary.

Understanding Scopes

Colonoscopy & Gastroscopy, Gut Health, G&L Surgical, Dr Ganesh Ramalingam

Scopes, on the other hand, offer a thorough, direct inspection of the gut. Scopes, such as gastroscopies and colonoscopies, involve inserting a long, thin tube equipped with a light and camera through the mouth or rectum to explore the digestive tract.

The primary purpose of scopes is to visually detect abnormalities that could be causing symptoms or could potentially lead to more serious conditions. This includes ulcers, polyps, diverticula, and even early signs of cancer. Scopes allow for a level of precision and detail that gut health cannot provide.

Moreover, scopes also offer the unique advantage of therapeutic intervention. Healthcare professionals can perform biopsies, remove polyps, or treat bleeding areas during the same procedure.

While the term ‘invasive’ may sound alarming, it’s important to remember that these procedures are carried out under appropriate sedation or anaesthesia to minimise discomfort. However, preparation for the procedure, potential risks, and recovery time are factors to be considered.

Key Differences Between Gut Health Tests and Scopes

When comparing gut health tests and scopes, the first difference that comes to mind is their invasiveness. Gut health tests are non-invasive, providing a wealth of information from a simple stool sample. Scopes, however, require a more hands-on, internal exploration of the digestive tract.

Moreover, the information provided by each method differs. Gut health tests offer insights into the gut’s microbiome, inflammation levels, and food intolerance, which primarily relate to wellness and potential non-critical issues.

Scopes, on the other hand, aim to diagnose diseases and conditions by physically examining the gut, making them a more suitable tool for people with specific symptoms or concerns.

Choosing the Right Assessment Approach

The choice between gut health tests and scopes largely depends on individual circumstances, symptoms, and medical history. If you’re suffering from severe, persistent symptoms, a scope might be the most suitable option as it can provide more definitive answers. On the contrary, if you’re generally healthy and want to improve or monitor your gut health, a gut health test might suffice.

It’s important to understand that this decision is not one to make in isolation. Collaborating with healthcare professionals and discussing these options with them ensures an appropriate and beneficial decision for your health.

Conclusion

To wrap up, gut health tests and scopes are two sides of the same coin, each offering valuable insights into different aspects of gut health. While gut health tests provide a broad overview of your gut microbiome and markers of inflammation, scopes offer a detailed visual assessment and the ability to treat abnormalities.

As always, the choice between the two should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider, factoring in individual health, symptoms, and personal preferences. Together, these tools contribute to a well-rounded approach to gut health, paving the way for improved overall wellness.

If you’re unsure where to start, don’t hesitate to contact our team. Our team of professionals will be able to advise you based on your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. Take control of your gut health today and start your journey towards a healthier, happier life.

The Role of Probiotics in Gut Health: Insights From Dr Ganesh

September 21, 2023 Comments Off Gut Health

Probiotics food, gut health, Dr Ganesh Ramalingam

Just last week, a patient came to me with a question about the benefits of probiotics and how they benefit our health. Through our conversation, I was surprised at how often people overlook the function of probiotics, which can directly influence your overall well-being, particularly your gut.

So today, as a gastrointestinal doctor who’s spent years navigating the world of gut health, I’ve put together this article to shed light on the critical role probiotics play in enhancing your gut health.

Understanding Gut Health

To get started, what exactly does “gut health” stand for?

The term “gut health” refers to all activities in your gastrointestinal (GI) system, which in turn is a vital player in maintaining one’s holistic health. Within the gut is a vibrant and diverse community of microorganisms which form an ecosystem known as gut microbiome. This ecosystem influences different areas of your well-being, spanning from digestion processes to influencing your immune system.

During my extensive experience in the field, I have discerned that a myriad of prevalent digestive complaints stem from a disrupted microbiome. These disturbances might manifest as mild issues like bloating and inconsistent bowel habits or escalate to more severe conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Diverticulitis. Being able to identify and rectify microbial imbalances in our gut is the key to how you can build a resilient gut health.

With that said, how do Probiotics play a role in rectifying these imbalances?

What Are Probiotics?

Firstly, probiotics are living beneficial bacteria naturally found in certain foods and supplements. Their primary role is to support a balanced gut microbiome, promoting better digestion and overall health.

The presence of these healthy bacteria is similar to having “caretakers” for your gut microbiome; they interact to help improve your digestive functions and create a robust internal system that is resilient to other health issues.

Now, having grasped the role of probiotics, it seems only natural to delve into their close relatives – prebiotics – and differentiate between the two. Prebiotics can be considered the ‘food’ for the friendly bacteria in your gut. Predominantly found in fibre-rich foods, they provide a nurturing ground for beneficial bacteria to flourish and multiply, even though they are non-digestible by human enzymes.

Simply put, while probiotics are the actual beneficial bacteria, prebiotics serve as their nourishment, fostering a harmonious relationship that is vital in maintaining a vibrant and healthy gut environment.

Benefits of Probiotics for Gut Health

When talking about the benefits of taking probiotics, there are definitely numerous advantages to it. From personal observation, they aid in enhancing digestion and facilitating better nutrient absorption.

In addition, through consuming the right strain of probiotics, patients have also reported that probiotics helped regulate their bowel movements and even relieved some troubling conditions such as constipation.

Some common foods that introduce probiotics to your system would include:

Yoghurt
Tempeh
Kombucha
Kimchi
Miso
Pickled vegetables (eg. pickled cucumber, radish)
Sauerkraut

Conclusion

In essence, prioritising your gut health with probiotics can transform your overall health. The cornerstone of vibrant health lies in a robust gut.