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Metabolic Needs

Meaning

Metabolic needs refer to the specific, quantifiable requirements of the human body for energy and essential substrates necessary to sustain life, maintain tissue integrity, and perform all physiological functions. These needs encompass the basal metabolic rate, which is the energy required at rest, plus the energy expenditure for physical activity, thermoregulation, and digestion. In hormonal health, metabolic needs are dynamically regulated by hormones like thyroid hormone, cortisol, and insulin, and they dictate nutritional and caloric requirements for achieving health goals.