lipostatic hypothesis

a hypothesis stating that the long-term regulation of food intake is governed by the concentration in the blood of free fatty acids, which result from the metabolism of fat. High concentrations indicate the breakdown of fat, and food consumption increases accordingly; low concentrations are associated with reduction in consumption. Also called lipostatic theory. See also glucostatic theory. [originally proposed in 1953 by Gordon C. Kennedy]

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

May 8th 2024

paraworld

n. a hypothetical world of ideal conditions that serves as a basis for formulating a model of some system or process believed to be true in the actual world. Such model building can be an important strategy in science.