Metabolism

Metabolism is the means by which the body derives energy and synthesizes the other molecules it needs from the fats, carbohydrates and proteins we eat as food, by enzymatic reactions helped by minerals and vitamins.

What is Anabolism?

Anabolism is the process by which the body utilizes the energy released by catabolism to synthesize complex molecules. These complex molecules are then utilized to form cellular structures that are formed from small and simple precursors that act as building blocks.

What is Metabolism?

Science of Metabolism

Metabolism Key Biochemicals

Metabolism Catabolism

Metabolism Energy Transformations

Xenobiotics and Redox Metabolism

Gibbs Free Energy and Metabolism

Metabolism Evolution

Metabolism Investigation and Manipulation

Metabolism History

Metabolism Control

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Metabolism Thermodynamics

What are Cytochrome P450 (CYP) Enzymes?

Science of Metabolism

An Overview of Nucleotide Metabolism

What are Coenzymes?

Latest Metabolism News and Research

Disrupted body clocks raise risk of early death, study finds

A large cohort study from China and the U.S. shows that Circadian Syndrome (CircS)—a cluster of metabolic and behavioral disruptions—is linked to higher all-cause and cause-specific mortality. The risk increases with the number of CircS components, especially among adults aged 40–60.

29 Apr 2025

Gut bacteria and metabolites reveal depression-linked patterns in older adults

A cross-sectional study of 400 older adults with metabolic syndrome reveals that individuals with depression have distinct gut microbiota and metabolite profiles. Eight bacterial genera and 15 fecal metabolites were significantly associated with depression, suggesting a gut-brain axis link.

29 Apr 2025

Obesity changes how the gut responds to plant compounds, researchers report

Researchers found that the impact of polyphenols rutin and genistein on the human fecal metabolome varies significantly by body mass index (BMI). Lower BMI individuals showed more diverse metabolic responses, revealing how gut health and obesity could shape polyphenol metabolism.

28 Apr 2025

Humanized antibody dismantles metabolic barrier as a potential cancer immunotherapy

A Ludwig Cancer Research study has identified a specific mode of fat uptake by immune cells within tumors that serves as a metabolic checkpoint against anti-cancer immune responses.

28 Apr 2025

Gene therapy offers hope for children born with metachromatic leukodystrophy

If administered early, gene therapy has the potential to change the medical history of children born with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare and lethal neurodegenerative disease of genetic origin which leads to the progressive loss of the ability to walk, talk and interact.

25 Apr 2025

Research uncovers the cellular culprit behind age-related abdominal fat

It's no secret that our waistlines often expand in middle-age, but the problem isn't strictly cosmetic. Belly fat accelerates aging and slows down metabolism, increasing our risk for developing diabetes, heart problems and other chronic diseases.

25 Apr 2025

Antibiotic use by humans is polluting rivers across the globe, study shows

A global modeling study found that 8,500 tonnes of antibiotics from human use alone enter rivers annually, threatening aquatic ecosystems and accelerating antimicrobial resistance. Over 6 million kilometers of river length exceed safety thresholds, especially in low- and middle-income countries with limited wastewater treatment.

24 Apr 2025

Common diabetes drug can reduce the pain of people with knee osteoarthritis and obesity

A common diabetes drug can reduce the pain of people with knee osteoarthritis and overweight or obesity, possibly delaying the need for knee replacements, Monash University-led research has found.

24 Apr 2025

CN Bio and Pharmaron establish long-term strategic partnership to develop OOC technologies on a global R&D platform

CN Bio, a leading provider of Organ-on-a-chip systems and solutions that accelerate drug discovery and development workflows, today announced the establishment of a strategic partnership with Pharmaron, a premier R&D service provider for the life sciences industry.

24 Apr 2025

Maternal childhood trauma linked to rapid weight gain in baby boys

Adverse situations experienced by the mother during childhood – such as neglect or physical, psychological or sexual violence – can trigger excessive weight gain in male children as early as the first two months of life.

23 Apr 2025

Body image concerns drive interest in GLP-1 weight loss drugs, study finds

A new study from Rutgers University links higher body dissatisfaction, BMI, and maladaptive weight loss behaviors with interest in GLP-1 medications for weight loss. Conversely, body appreciation appears to protect against this interest, especially in the face of potential side effects.

23 Apr 2025

Researchers uncover link between heart attack severity and circadian rhythm

The molecular mechanism behind why heart attacks can vary in severity depending on the time of day has been uncovered by researchers at UTHealth Houston, potentially paving the way for innovative treatments that align with the natural circadian rhythm.

23 Apr 2025

New approach may prevent neurotoxic protein aggregates in ALS

Researchers at Goethe University, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and Kiel University discover possible method for preventing protein aggregates – Cluster4Future PROXIDRUGS research project.

23 Apr 2025

DT-109 shows promise in treating atherosclerosis and liver disease

A drug candidate, previously successful at treating severe fatty liver disease, reduces atherosclerosis - a primary driver of cardiovascular death worldwide - in large mammals, a study suggests.

23 Apr 2025

Interferon regulatory factor 8 identified as key driver of liver fat buildup in NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic metabolic syndrome resulting from lipid metabolic imbalance. Interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) is well known for its roles in immune cell differentiation and tumor pathogenesis; however, its role in regulating glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism remains unclear.

22 Apr 2025

Disruption of sterol biosynthesis by prescription drugs: A hidden threat to brain development

A powerful editorial published today in Brain Medicine raises alarm about a previously overlooked threat to brain development and public health: the disruption of sterol biosynthesis by common prescription medications.

22 Apr 2025

Obesity alters the rhythm of liver’s starvation response

Researchers led by Keigo Morita and Shinya Kuroda of the University of Tokyo have revealed a temporal disruption in the metabolism of obese mice when adapting to starvation despite no significant structural disruptions in the molecular network.

22 Apr 2025

New $15 million study aims to understand cardiovascular and kidney disease risk factors in women

Research teams from Augusta University, Massachusetts General Hospital and The Ohio State University will lead a $15 million project dedicated to studying the various ways that risk factors for cardiovascular and kidney diseases impact women.

22 Apr 2025

New noninvasive method for early diabetes risk detection

The highs and lows of blood glucose aren't just an energy rollercoaster; they could be a key to detecting diabetes risk early and spare you a needle prick or two.

22 Apr 2025

Major breakthrough could turn IV drugs into oral treatments for brain cancer and Alzheimer's

A research team led by scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) made a major breakthrough with the potential to turn IV drugs into oral treatments for diseases like brain cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

21 Apr 2025