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Metabolic Substrate

Meaning

A Metabolic Substrate is any molecule, typically derived from the digestion of macronutrients—carbohydrates, fats, or proteins—that can be utilized by cells to generate energy or serve as a building block for biosynthesis. The primary substrates include glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids, which enter specific catabolic pathways to produce Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). The body’s selection and preferential utilization of these substrates, known as metabolic flexibility, is a critical determinant of hormonal health and energy balance. Clinical conditions like insulin resistance often involve a dysfunction in the appropriate handling or switching between these available substrates.