Research

Hormonal

High-fat, low-carbohydrate meals suppress 24-hour circulating leptin levels compared to low-fat, high-carbohydrate meals, which contributes to increased energy intake and weight gain.

If you are trying to manage weight, be aware that high-fat, low-carb meals may leave you feeling less satiated over 24 hours than high-carb meals. This is because fat doesn't trigger the insulin-leptin pathway that signals long-term energy sufficiency to your brain. Including carbohydrates can help boost leptin levels, potentially reducing hunger and preventing overeating.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Evidence suggests that anaerobic metabolism of glucose to lactate does not stimulate leptin production... suggesting a mechanism that may contribute to the effects that high-fat diets have in promoting increased energy intake, weight gain and obesity.
Peter J. Havel · Proceedings of The Nutrition Society · 2000

Why this rating

Supported by multiple human studies cited (Havel et al. 1999) showing significant differences in 24h leptin profiles.

Source

Role of adipose tissue in body-weight regulation: mechanisms regulating leptin production and energy balance

Peter J. Havel · Proceedings of The Nutrition Society · 2000

DOI 10.1017/s0029665100000410

narrative_reviewCited 326×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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