Research
Hormonal
Leucine is a specific amino acid that modulates food intake centrally by activating mTOR and suppressing AMPK in the hypothalamus, mimicking the effects of high-protein diets.
Ensure your protein intake includes sufficient leucine, as it directly activates brain sensors (mTOR) that reduce hunger. This is a key driver of protein's satiating power, independent of total calories.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Additionally, there is evidence that circulating leucine levels may modulate food intake. Leucine is associated with neural mechanisms involving mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), energy sensors active in the control of energy intake, at least in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple studies cited in the review regarding leucine administration and hypothalamic signaling.
Source
Peripheral and central mechanisms involved in the control of food intake by dietary amino acids and proteins
Gilles Fromentin et al. · Nutrition Research Reviews · 2012
DOI 10.1017/s0954422411000175
narrative_reviewCited 171×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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