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Systemic Metabolic Resistance

Meaning

Systemic metabolic resistance describes a widespread physiological state where multiple cell types throughout the body exhibit a diminished responsiveness to the signaling actions of key metabolic hormones, most notably insulin but also including thyroid hormones and leptin. This condition is characterized by a failure of target tissues to appropriately utilize circulating substrates, leading to chronic dysregulation of glucose homeostasis, energy storage, and cellular function. Clinically, this resistance is a foundational driver of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and often correlates with endocrine aging. Addressing this resistance is a primary goal in hormonal health and longevity medicine.