Skip to main content

Mitochondrial Substrate Preference

Meaning

Mitochondrial Substrate Preference refers to the specific choice and efficiency with which the cell’s powerhouses, the mitochondria, utilize different macronutrient-derived molecules—primarily pyruvate (from glucose) or fatty acids—to generate Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) via oxidative phosphorylation. This preference is a dynamic and critical reflection of metabolic health, as a flexible preference for either fat or glucose is highly indicative of metabolic fitness. A fixed or impaired preference often signals insulin resistance or chronic cellular stress.