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Brain Substrate Utilization

Meaning

Brain Substrate Utilization is the physiological process describing how the central nervous system selects, processes, and consumes various energy-yielding molecules to sustain its high metabolic demands. This concept is critical in hormonal health, as substrate preference can be significantly altered by systemic metabolic states, including insulin resistance or ketosis, directly impacting neuroendocrine signaling and cognitive function. The brain typically relies on glucose, but it possesses the metabolic flexibility to utilize ketone bodies or lactate when necessary.