catabolic
adjective
cat·a·bol·ic
ˌka-tə-ˈbä-lik
: marked by or promoting metabolic activity concerned with the breakdown of complex molecules (such as proteins or lipids) and the release of energy within the organism : relating to, characterized by, or stimulating catabolism
If the anabolic and catabolic processes are in balance, tissue remains intact and good health is sustained.—Paul Clayton
The energy deficit that the contestants have been running since the first day is now catching up with them, and their bodies have become catabolic (preferentially feeding off their own muscle and fat stores to fuel critical metabolic and cellular processes).—Alice Park
catabolically
adverb
… the brain needs glucose as the source of energy and it cannot utilize fatty acids or amino acids catabolically.
—Miland Watve
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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