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Bioenergetic Substrate Utilization

Meaning

Bioenergetic Substrate Utilization precisely describes the cellular process of identifying, transporting, and metabolizing various macronutrient-derived molecules—such as glucose from carbohydrates, fatty acids from lipids, and amino acids from proteins—to generate chemical energy, specifically ATP. The efficiency and metabolic flexibility of substrate utilization are direct and critical indicators of overall metabolic health and insulin sensitivity. Optimal hormonal function relies heavily on the cell’s ability to switch fluidly between these fuel sources in response to changing physiological demands.