metabolism
Metabolic Adaptation
The reduction in energy expenditure your body makes in response to prolonged calorie restriction, beyond what predicted equations explain.
Metabolic Adaptation (also called "adaptive thermogenesis") is the phenomenon where prolonged calorie restriction produces a decrease in energy expenditure beyond what weight loss alone would predict — typically 5–15% below expected. It occurs through reduced NEAT, lower thyroid output, and mechanical efficiency improvements. Diet breaks every 8–12 weeks and adequate protein reduce the adaptation.
Primary Sources
- Rosenbaum M, Leibel RL. "Adaptive thermogenesis in humans." Int J Obes. 2010.