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Nighttime Metabolism Shift

Meaning

The Nighttime Metabolism Shift describes the fundamental, circadian-regulated change in the body’s energy utilization and resource allocation that occurs as the organism transitions from the active, fed state of the day to the resting, fasting state of sleep. This shift involves a systemic reduction in core body temperature, a decrease in insulin sensitivity, and a change in substrate preference from glucose to fatty acid oxidation. This metabolic reorganization is crucial for prioritizing anabolic processes, such as cellular repair and tissue regeneration, which are largely hormone-driven.