Patient-Friendly Explanation

When you eat less to lose weight, your body naturally fights back by burning fewer calories. This is called adaptive thermogenesis — your metabolism slows down to preserve energy, making it harder to keep losing weight even when you are doing everything right.

Clinical Definition

Adaptive thermogenesis refers to the decrease in energy expenditure beyond what is predicted by changes in body composition during caloric restriction. It involves reductions in resting metabolic rate, diet-induced thermogenesis, and non-exercise activity thermogenesis, mediated by decreased thyroid hormones, leptin, and sympathetic nervous system activity.

Why It Matters

Adaptive thermogenesis explains why weight loss plateaus are so common and frustrating. At NuLifeCare, we monitor your metabolic response and adjust your plan — using medication like GLP-1 agonists when needed — to help overcome this natural defence mechanism.