The real reason you're feeling exhausted, gaining weight, or struggling with hormones might not be what you think.
When we think about health, we typically focus on isolated areas—brain function, heart health, hormone balance, or gut health. But at the foundation of all these systems lies one crucial element: metabolic health.
AT A GLANCE
Curious about "Metabolic Health"? Here’s what you need to know:
- Metabolic health isn't just about burning calories, it also impacts hormones, mood, and energy.
- Most adults are metabolically unhealthy - often without knowing it.
- Balancing blood sugar, lowering stress, reducing inflammation are keys to change.
METABOLIC HEALTH: WHY IT MATTERS
Based on current research, 88% of american adults are metabolically unhealthy.
This isn't just a random statistic. It's why you might be struggling with irregular periods, unexplained weight gain, chronic fatigue, or mood swings despite doing "everything right."
→ Most adults have poor metabolic health, which underlies hormone, weight, and energy issues.
WHAT ACTUALLY IS METABOLIC HEALTH?
Your metabolic health is the foundation of how your body functions at a cellular level. It's not just about weight or BMI - which is an outdated marker. Metabolic health refers to the optimal functioning of the entire metabolic system and we use multiple markers to monitor it's performance, including insulin sensitivity, blood glucose metabolism, blood lipids, blood pressure and more.
When your metabolic health is compromised, it disrupts everything from hormone balance to energy production to fat storage patterns. For women especially, poor metabolic health often manifests as PCOS, irregular cycles, fertility challenges, and stubborn weight gain around the middle.
→ Metabolic health is not just about weight or BMI, but how well your cells function and use energy.
METABOLISM VS METABOLIC: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
Metabolism: The process by which the body breaks down and converts nutrients into energy for life-sustaining functions. Metabolism is made up of two processes:
| Anabolism: the ‘building up’ a process which creates molecules and energy stores. | Catabolism: the ‘breaking down’ a process which breaks down molecules to provide energy. |
Metabolic: An adjective relating to metabolism. For example, metabolic rate refers to how quickly the body burns energy.
→ Metabolism is the process of converting nutrients into energy, while metabolic describes anything relating to that process.
HOW YOUR BODY CREATES AND USES ENERGY
Every cell in your body is like a tiny power plant, producing energy to keep you alive and thriving. The process starts with the food you eat, which is broken down into glucose (sugar). This is metabolism.
This energy is essential for everything your body does:
- your heart beating
- muscles moving
- brain thinking
- repairing cells
- balancing hormones
- regulating mood
All your body systems rely on energy to function!
Here's the key: if your metabolic processes are disrupted, it impacts every system, not just your weight!
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF POOR METABOLIC HEALTH
Your body is an excellent communicator—it sends signals in the form of symptoms to let you know something's off balance. These warning signs often point to underlying metabolic dysfunction:
→ Fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, and irregular cycles are often metabolic red flags.
CONDITIONS LINKED TO POOR METABOLIC HEALTH
When metabolic health deteriorates, it can lead to or worsen:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
- Hypertension
- Chronic inflammation
- Hormonal imbalances
- Mood disorders
WHAT CAUSES POOR METABOLIC HEALTH?
While there are numerous factors that can impact metabolic health, these are the most common culprits:
Each of these factors can disrupt your body's finely tuned metabolic processes, creating a cascade effect across your overall health.
WHAT AREAS SHOULD WE FOCUS ON TO IMPROVE METABOLIC HEALTH?
Blood Sugar Regulation
You cannot address metabolic health without first addressing blood sugar!
Blood sugar regulation is one of the most critical components of metabolic health. Every cell in your body relies on glucose for energy, but maintaining stable blood sugar levels is essential.
When blood sugar levels spike and crash repeatedly due to poor diet, stress, or lack of sleep, it can lead to insulin resistance, inflammation, and increased fat storage.
Uncontrolled blood sugar isn't just about diabetes risk—it impacts your mood, energy levels, hormone balance, and overall metabolic function. Addressing blood sugar stability through balanced meals, mindful eating, regular physical activity, and stress management is a foundational step in improving metabolic health.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone that allows your cells to absorb blood sugar and use it for energy. When your diet consistently overloads your system with sugar, your body has to release more insulin.
Over time, cells can stop responding properly to insulin, a condition called insulin resistance. This forces your body to produce even more insulin, promoting fat storage, reducing energy efficiency, and increasing the risk of metabolic disorders.
For women especially: insulin resistance is the root cause of up to 80% of PCOS cases and plays a significant role in hormonal balance, even for women without PCOS.
Inflammation
Chronic inflammation—caused by poor diet, stress, lack of sleep, or environmental toxins—disrupts normal cellular functions, including energy production.
Inflammation interferes with insulin signaling, making it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar. this not only leads to weight gain but also makes your metabolism less efficient, increasing the likelihood of chronic diseases.
Stress
Stress triggers the release of cortisol, the "stress hormone," which raises blood sugar to give your body quick energy. While helpful in emergencies, chronic stress keeps blood sugar and insulin levels elevated for too long.
This can cause insulin resistance, disrupt energy production, and lead to fat storage, especially around the belly.
It doesn’t take long before various stresses compound and overload our systems - which will slow down your metabolism and contribute to fatigue and burnout. We really have to work on our stress management in order to improve our metabolic health
WHEN SHOULD I START WORKING ON MY METABOLIC HEALTH?
Immediately! there's no reason to wait for symptoms to worsen when you can be proactive.
Simple routine bloodwork can help give a better picture of what's happening internally. if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, it's time to take action.
Metabolic health is the thread that connects your entire body. Don't wait for a cascade of health issues when you're already receiving warning signs.
3 STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TODAY
- balance your blood sugar by including protein, healthy fat, and fiber with every meal to prevent spikes and crashes.
- prioritize sleep and stress management - both have immediate impacts on metabolic function and insulin sensitivity.
- move your body regularly - even light activity after meals can dramatically improve glucose metabolism.
CONCLUSION
Metabolic health may seem complex, but at its core, it's about balance. When you understand how your body works, nourish it properly, prioritize rest, manage stress, and listen to your symptoms, you give yourself the best chance at thriving—not just surviving.
Your body wants to be in balance. by supporting your metabolic health, you're addressing the root cause of many common health concerns rather than just masking symptoms.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen, especially if you have existing medical conditions.
ARTICLE BIOS
CNP, Metabolic Health Coach
Tina Kozman is a Certified Nutrition Practitioner, Life Coach, and Certified Metabolic Coach specializing in thyroid conditions, hormone imbalances, and sustainable weight loss. With a background in science and education, Tina brings a compassionate, evidence-based approach to metabolic and hormonal health.
As Bodology’s in-house metabolic health expert, she collaborates closely with clinicians, researchers, and customers to translate complex science into practical tools and insights. Her work focuses on empowering women to address the root causes of hormonal and metabolic challenges through personalized nutrition, lifestyle strategies, and natural supplementation.
Tina is deeply committed to bridging the gender health gap, challenging outdated narratives around women’s health, and helping individuals feel heard, understood, and in control of their bodies.
Connect with Tina at Tina@bodology.co.
Founder of Bodology™
Jasmin'a story is a personal one. After 11 years of living with unresolved PCOS, Hashimotos and PMDD which manifested in symptoms that included irregular periods, mood swings and anxiety, relentless cravings, and a constant sense of disconnect from her own body — Jasmin discovered a crucial truth ignored by much of conventional medicine: the real root cause lay in her metabolic health. Understanding the connection between insulin resistance, metabolic health and hormone imbalance was the breakthrough that changed everything. After deciding to start inositol (before it was popular or widely known), within just three weeks Jasmin’s cycles returned. But just as important, her cravings stabilized, mood lifted, and for the first time, she felt in control of her body and her future.
Determined to make metabolic health mainstream and accessible, Jasmin founded Bodology™ — a brand dedicated to decoding the science of metabolism and empowering women to reclaim their health naturally. Today, Jasmin collaborates with top experts in metabolic health, combining research, education, and simple, potent plant-based solutions to help women address the root causes of hormonal and metabolic imbalances. You can connect with Jasmin by emailing hello@bodology.co.
