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Macronutrient Transduction

Meaning

Macronutrient transduction is the complex cellular process by which the body translates the presence, quantity, and ratio of ingested carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into specific intracellular biochemical signals that regulate metabolism, growth, and cellular fate. This mechanism is distinct from simple digestion and absorption, focusing instead on how nutrients act as informational molecules to modulate key signaling pathways like mTOR, AMPK, and insulin signaling. Optimal macronutrient transduction ensures that the body responds appropriately to feeding and fasting states, maintaining metabolic flexibility and hormonal homeostasis. Dysregulation is a hallmark of insulin resistance and chronic metabolic disease.