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Substrate Partitioning Control

Meaning

Substrate Partitioning Control refers to the precise, hormonally-regulated process by which the body strategically determines the metabolic fate of ingested energy substrates—carbohydrates, fats, and proteins—directing them toward either efficient storage (as fat or glycogen) or immediate utilization (for energy or tissue synthesis). Optimal control favors directing nutrients toward lean tissue maintenance and energy expenditure while minimizing pathological visceral fat storage. This regulatory efficiency is a critical cornerstone of robust metabolic health, profoundly influenced by systemic insulin sensitivity and thyroid hormone function. Dysregulation of this control is central to the development of metabolic syndrome and unfavorable body composition changes.