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Metabolic Shutdown

Meaning

Metabolic Shutdown is a colloquial or clinical term describing a severe, protective reduction in the body’s basal metabolic rate and overall energy expenditure, typically triggered by prolonged, extreme caloric restriction or severe, chronic physiological stress. This adaptive response is a survival mechanism where the body conserves energy by reducing the activity of non-essential processes, leading to profound hormonal changes, including decreased thyroid and sex hormone production. The phenomenon is often associated with significant difficulty in sustained weight loss and a persistent state of fatigue.