Hormonal
Leptin functions primarily as a starvation signal to conserve energy during caloric deficit, rather than as a long-term regulator of body weight in humans.
When you lose weight, your leptin levels drop faster than your fat mass, signaling 'starvation' to your brain. This triggers hunger and slows metabolism to protect your energy stores. This is a normal survival mechanism, not a failure. Recognizing this helps explain why weight loss can become difficult over time and why sustainable habits are key to managing these hormonal signals.
In conclusion, in humans, the leptin signaling system appears to be mainly involved in maintenance of adequate energy stores for survival during periods of energy deficit.
Why this rating
Well-supported by the review of hormonal responses to fasting and weight loss.
Source
Leptin Signaling, Adiposity, and Energy Balance
Eric Jéquier · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · 2002
DOI 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2002.tb04293.x
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