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Cellular Energy Substrate Control

Meaning

Cellular energy substrate control refers to the precise, homeostatic regulation of the types and amounts of fuel molecules—primarily glucose, fatty acids, and ketones—that cells utilize to generate Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). This control is paramount for maintaining metabolic flexibility, allowing cells and tissues to seamlessly switch between substrates based on nutrient availability and physiological demand. Optimal substrate control prevents energy bottlenecks and is crucial for tissue function, particularly in high-demand organs like the brain and muscle. Dysregulation of this system underlies conditions of metabolic dysfunction, such as insulin resistance.