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Metabolic Entrainment

Meaning

Metabolic entrainment is the process by which endogenous metabolic rhythms, such as glucose utilization, insulin sensitivity, and lipid oxidation, are synchronized with external cues, primarily the timing of food intake and the light-dark cycle. This synchronization is crucial for maintaining optimal metabolic health, as misalignment between the central circadian clock and peripheral tissue clocks can lead to insulin resistance and weight dysregulation. Clinical strategies, often involving time-restricted eating or strategic meal timing, aim to restore this entrainment to enhance energy expenditure and substrate partitioning efficiency. Disrupted entrainment is a significant contributor to chronic metabolic disease.