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Definition of Leptin
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Leptin: A hormone produced mainly by adipocytes (fat cells) that is involved in the regulation of body fat. Leptin interacts with areas of the brain that control hunger and behavior and signals that the body has had enough to eat. A small number of people have genetic mutations in the leptin gene, leading to a greater demand for food, resulting in obesity.