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Fasting-Induced Suppression

Meaning

Fasting-Induced Suppression refers to the transient reduction in the secretion or activity of specific hormones and metabolic pathways that occurs in response to a period of caloric deprivation. This physiological state is a critical adaptive mechanism designed to conserve energy and shift the body’s primary fuel source from glucose to stored fat. Hormonally, this typically involves a significant decrease in circulating insulin levels and a reciprocal increase in glucagon, alongside a complex modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axes. Understanding this suppression is vital in clinical settings, particularly when interpreting diagnostic endocrine tests or managing metabolic health interventions.