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Hormonal Substrate Preference

Meaning

Hormonal Substrate Preference describes the differential metabolic reliance of various tissues on specific fuel sources, such as glucose or fatty acids, which is dynamically regulated by the prevailing endocrine environment. This concept highlights how circulating hormones, including insulin, cortisol, and thyroid hormone, dictate which energy substrate a cell or organ preferentially utilizes for its metabolic needs. Understanding this preference is central to managing body composition, energy levels, and metabolic health.