Appetite Stimulant - Hungrier Than Last Time

As the name suggests, this formula is an appetite stimulant for those who struggle to consume an appropriate amount of calories to sustain a healthy body weight; the most common barrier to gaining weight (bulking). This would be a desirable outcome for those who are underweight, struggling to eat enough due to early satiety, discomfort or digestive burden.

The ingredients in this product have shown clinical efficacy in increasing appetite, decreasing nausea and improving digestion by attenuating delayed gastric emptying (a primary gut-brain response which induces satiety).

For a better understanding of the proposed mechanism and benefits of this formula, please read the full ingredient breakdown.

Notice:

We advise that you approach diet changes carefully and consult with a medical professional if you plan on using this supplement or greatly increasing your caloric intake.

If you are clinically underweight (BMI equal or less than 18.5), please consult with a medical professional to assist you in approaching weight-gain and increasing caloric intake safely.

‘Refeeding syndrome’; it is an event that is characterized by dangerous shifts in fluids and electrolytes which may occur in malnourished individuals when increasing caloric intake in a rapid and uncontrolled manner.

If you are unintentionally losing weight, this supplement is not recommended and we advise you consult a medical professional.

A surplus of 10 kcal/kg per day in underweight individuals is considered a safe starting point by the NICE guidelines (for example, if you weigh 50kg, you would aim to increase your current caloric intake by an additional 500 calories per day); increasing this surplus slowly to meet or exceed full caloric needs by 4 to 7 days.

Please note that these are general guidelines and individual care should always be based on personal medical history and current health status. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Atractylodes Lancea Extract

Atractylodes lancea has commonly been used to stimulate appetite in traditional Chinese medicine and East Asia. The therapeutic effect is well established but the mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. Fujitsuka et al. reported that atractylodin (component of actractylodes extract) activated the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) and enhanced ghrelin-induced Ca2+ fluorescence in GHSR-expressing cells. Extrapolation from the literature suggests that this ingredient may be have a dual action of increasing ghrelin secretion while also being an independent growth hormone secretagogue receptor agonist, sharing some mechanistic similarities to MK677 (GHSR & ghrelin receptor agonist); ghrelin is a hunger-promoting hormone. 

Takiguchi et al. supports this hypothesis in human subjects, in which post-gastrectomy patients demonstrated increased ghrelin levels and improved intestinal motility with supplementation of Rikkunshito (Sino-Japanese medicine formula primarily composed of Atractylodes Lancea decoction and ginger extract - both clinically dosed in Hungrier Than Last Time). 

Matsumura et al. also found that this Atractylodes Lancea based extract (‘rikkunshito’) increases the plasma level of ghrelin in healthy volunteers.

To summarize, the ghrelin secreting effects of Atractylodes based extracts are strongly supported in both preclinical trials and clinical (human) trials.

Omega 3 (2000mg fish oil yielding 360mg EPA, 240mg DHA)

Hunger sensation, desire to eat, and desire to eat sweet foods increased in each of the three weeks of this trial evaluating the effects of Omega 3 supplementation on appetite. The findings showed that Omega-3 supplementation increased appetite in healthy athletes without significant changes to body fat percentage in participants.

Vitamin E and Astaxanthin

Vitamin E and Astaxanthin are powerful antioxidants which may significantly reduce the rate of fish oil oxidation (fish oil is highly susceptible to rancidity under suboptimal storage conditions); ensuring the active ingredient does not become inert or potentially harmful over prolonged storage. 

171 over the counter omega 3 products were tested by Jackowski et al in 2015; 50% exceeded the voluntary recommended levels for markers of oxidation. Another 18% of products were approaching the limits with 1–3 years before expiration.

Vitamin E improves the stability of omega 3s (antioxidants reduce the rate of rancidity which occurs in most oils stored in ambient conditions)

Astaxanthin improves the shelf-life of fish products and has antioxidant properties about 500 times greater than α-tocopherols (vitamin E).

Anandamide 

Anandamide is an endocannabinoid which initiates appetite by stimulation of the CB1 receptors; increasing appetite the same proposed mechanism of which marijuana ingestion induces “the munchies” (increased hunger).

Anandamide is an endogenous neurotransmitter that our body produces and metabolizes effectively, it has not been shown to cause intoxication or a psychotropic effect similar to ingested THC and its derivatives. 

Sodium Caprate and Red Clover Extract 

Sodium Caprate is a clinically established bioenhancer of poorly absorbed ingredients, it works by increasing intestinal permeability by temporarily augmenting the tight junctions of the small intestine.

Red Clover Extract contains a high amount of phytosterols (Biochanin A, amongst others) which inhibit the enzyme Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH), an enzyme which partially degrades orally consumed endocannabinoids like Anandamide. The Biochanin A component of Red Clover extract may enhance the oral bioavailability of Anandamide significantly. (In addition to the other phytosterols present in Red Clover extract which also possess FAAH inhibitory activity).

Ginger Extract

Ginger extract can speed up motility and increase the threshold from satiety induced nausea, allowing individuals to eat more without feeling nauseous while also potentially stimulating the appetite as a secondary effect.  Ginger is the preferred anti-nauseant during pregnancy; a popular over the counter choice under the name of ‘Gravol’ offers a ginger-only and non drowsy alternative of their original product which does not contain dimenhydrinate.

Thiamine HCl

Malnutrition can lead to a thiamine deficiency, while the transition of suddenly increasing calories can lead to a further depletion of Thiamine stores due to increased metabolic demands. Thiamine is essential to maintain normophysiologic glucose metabolism, this formula was fortified with thiamine for this reason.