The invention provides formulations and methods for ameliorating symptoms associated with metabolic disorders, such as hypoglycemia, obesity, diabetes, and the like by targeted administration to the oesphagus of a subject of Zn-α2-glycoproteins or a functional fragment thereof, alone or in combination with additional agents, such as β adrenergin receptor agonists, β adrenergin receptor antagonists, and/or glycemic control agents.