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Postprandial State

Meaning

The Postprandial State is the physiological period immediately following the ingestion of a meal, during which the body is actively engaged in the processes of digestion, absorption, and assimilation of nutrients. This state is characterized by significant shifts in circulating hormone levels, notably a rise in insulin and a suppression of glucagon, to facilitate glucose uptake and storage. The duration and magnitude of the postprandial response are critical indicators of metabolic health and insulin sensitivity. Clinically, an excessively prolonged or exaggerated postprandial state is a hallmark of metabolic dysfunction.