🛣️ All Roads Lead to Acetyl-CoA – The Grand Meeting Point of Nutrients

CUBE chat
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:test_tube: CUBE ChatShaala Summary – 13.08.2025

Topic: Interconnection of Carbohydrate, Protein, and Fat Metabolism through Acetyl-CoA

Summary of Discussion

Today’s ChatShaala explored the biochemical links between the three major macronutrients—carbohydrates, proteins, and fats—through the central metabolic intermediate, Acetyl-CoA.

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Participants discussed how:

  • Carbohydrates are digested into simple sugars, mainly glucose, which undergo glycolysis and further catabolism to produce Acetyl-CoA.

  • Proteins are broken down into amino acids, which can be deaminated and funneled into pathways that generate Acetyl-CoA.

  • Fats are hydrolyzed into fatty acids and glycerol; fatty acids undergo β-oxidation to yield Acetyl-CoA, while glycerol can enter carbohydrate metabolism.

The group emphasized that regardless of the starting nutrient, all catabolic routes converge at Acetyl-CoA, which then feeds into the citric acid cycle for energy production. This central convergence highlights the metabolic flexibility of organisms and the biochemical unity underlying different nutrient sources.

The conversation also touched upon physiological scenarios—such as fasting, exercise, and overnutrition—where the flux through these pathways changes dramatically, influencing energy balance, fat storage, and protein turnover.

:question:Provocative Questions for the Community:

  1. If all macronutrients end up as Acetyl-CoA, why does our body store excess calories mainly as fat, not protein?

  2. Could manipulating the flow into Acetyl-CoA be a way to control weight or improve athletic performance?

  3. During starvation, which nutrient source contributes most to Acetyl-CoA production—and why?

  4. If fats yield more energy than carbs, why does the body prefer carbohydrates for quick energy?

:books: Reference