Eating behavior is controlled by signals that are generated in the postabsorptive metabolism
of energy-yielding substrates. Recent work indicates that an event common to the
metabolism of glucose and fat provides such a signal. Evidence suggests that eating
behavior is triggered by a signal that is tied to hepatic ATP concentrations and is carried
from the liver to brain via afferents in the vagus nerve. This metabolic control of eating
behavior may link mechanisms of energy storage and expenditure to energy intake …