Tag: Glucose sparing

Over 80% of Americans engage in some form of fasting, whether intentional or not, which triggers a highly coordinated set of metabolic shifts. Understanding what are the metabolic adaptations during fasting reveals how the body cleverly switches energy sources to maintain function and preserve critical tissues in the absence of food. This metabolic flexibility is an evolutionary survival mechanism that has significant health implications.

Within just a few hours of eating, a typical human body's metabolism begins to shift, initiating the intricate process of what is the first phase of starvation. This initial metabolic response involves a series of hormonal and biochemical adjustments to maintain blood glucose levels, starting with the most readily available fuel source. The transition from using external food sources to internal reserves is a complex and highly regulated survival mechanism.