Cholecystokinin (CCK)
Cholecystokinin, or CCK, is a hormone released by the gut after eating.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Cholecystokinin, or CCK, is a hormone released by the gut after eating. It signals the brain that you are full, helping to slow digestion and reduce appetite.
Medical
Clinical Definition
Cholecystokinin is a peptide hormone secreted by enteroendocrine cells of the duodenum and jejunum in response to fat and protein. It stimulates gallbladder contraction and pancreatic enzyme secretion and acts as a satiety signal via vagal afferents and the hypothalamus, contributing to meal termination.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
Satiety hormones like CCK are part of the complex system that regulates appetite. Understanding them helps explain why medical weight-loss therapies can be more effective than willpower alone.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.