Research
Hormonal
Exogenous leptin administration during caloric restriction (dynamic weight loss) has minimal to no effect on body weight or energy expenditure in humans, primarily due to leptin resistance induced by negative energy balance.
Taking leptin while dieting will not help you lose weight and may increase hunger. The body's natural defense mechanisms (leptin resistance) block its effects during active weight loss. Focus on sustainable dietary changes rather than hormonal interventions for weight loss in non-deficient individuals.
GoodRefutesHIGH confidence
Leptin administration to humans at usual weight has little if any effect on body weight while leptin administration during weight loss mitigates hunger, especially if given in supraphysiological doses during severe caloric restriction.
Why this rating
Based on multiple controlled human trials cited (Heymsfield, Moon, Mittendorfer, Mackintosh/Hirsch) showing lack of efficacy.
Source
20 YEARS OF LEPTIN: Role of leptin in energy homeostasis in humans
Michael Rosenbaum et al. · Journal of Endocrinology · 2014
DOI 10.1530/joe-14-0358
narrative_reviewCited 242×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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