Abstract: A method and a composition for decreasing ghrelin levels and/or decreasing ghrelin/unacylated ghrelin ratio in a subject, the method comprising administering an effective amount of unacylated ghrelin, a fragment thereof, an analog thereof and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof to the subject wherein a reduction in ghrelin levels and/or a reduction in ghrelin/unacylated ghrelin ratio is beneficial to the subject. Also, use of ghrelin level and/or ghrelin/unacylated ghrelin ratio as biomarkers for determining a subject's likelihood of responding to and/or benefiting from administration of unacylated ghrelin.