Unlocking Energy, Weight Management & More: The Power of Metabolic Flexibility

5 June

Signs of Metabolic Inflexibility

Before we begin, let’s play a game. How many of the following symptoms do you feel like you have?

Hanger
Brain fog
Sugar cravings
Fatigue coming in waves
Struggling to lose weight
Wired but tired with random second winds of energy
Mood swings
Salt cravings
You want all the carbs

All of these symptoms are common signs that your metabolism is inflexible. You might be thinking, don’t I just have a slow or fast metabolism? Doesn’t this just naturally worsen with age. Isn’t it normal to experience some of these symptoms. I hear this all the time from the women I work with.

So what is Metabolic Flexibility?

Metabolic Flexibility is the body's innate ability to efficiently switch between different fuel sources like carbs or fats , and forms the foundation for optimal health and well-being. As humans, metabolic flexibility is our preferred metabolic state HOWEVER only 15% of the Western population is currently metabolically flexible. Yes, you read that right…….only 15%. The world we live in is so disruptive to our health and one of the biggest culprits is the modern diet and our attitude towards food. Like so many issues in our modern world, even something so innate, like our body’s ability to be in balance, has been turned on its head and is causing trouble.

Let me explain. So many of us rely almost solely on sugar as fuel. Sugar is the dirty fuel of the food world. It causes our body to be on a blood sugar roller coaster needing more and more sugar to avoid a crash. It’s like filling up your car with dirty fuel, your car burns through it faster than clean fuel so it requires more and more dirty fuel to keep going. When you use sugar to fuel your body, this is basically the same. I don’t know about you, but I don’t know many people who would put dirty fuel in their cars yet I know plenty of people who do it to their body. Interesting.

Metabolic flexibility is what we all need to aim for. It allows us to be in a balanced state where we can trust our body to function at its best. When you have metabolic flexibility your body is less likely to be impacted when you enjoy a higher carb meal or a higher fat meal. Your body will be able to respond in a healthy way from either food source. This means you are less likely to feel hangry, have brain fog or dips in energy AND you will be able to release weight if that’s your goal.

Metabolic Flexibility and Weight Loss

Metabolic Flexibility is KEY for weight loss. For so many of my clients after they finish MB the weight stays off. I get calls from happy clients who are so surprised when even after indulging more than they normally would, their body doesn’t respond the same way as it once did. The weight stays off and the yoyo effect they are so used to experiencing is no longer an issue. This also goes for things like brain fog and energy levels. When we are metabolically flexible, annoying symptoms we think are just a normal part of ageing are just not a factor.

Now, it’s important to note, diet isn’t the only thing that will impact metabolic flexibility. Other factors like physical activity, stress levels, sleep quality and lifestyle choices also play a role. So as a naturopath, when I am addressing your health, it is critical to take into consideration all of these things as well as diet. The interconnectedness of the mind and body means if we have chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation balance cannot be achieved.

The other thing I would like to make clear is when we look at dietary interventions such as fasting or a ketogenic diet it’s important to understand that while this might work really well for some, it can exacerbate metabolic dysfunction in others. This is why I love Metabolic Balance. It isn’t a fad. It isn’t extreme. It gives you the foods that are right for your body and in the right quantities so you can feel good again. I explain it to my clients like this. I use Metabolic Balance as a tool to clean up the muddy pool (you’re the muddy pool sorry) so when the water is clear again I can see what's left at the bottom of the pool and address it in a really tailored way.

Practical Strategies for Enhancing Metabolic Flexibility:

1. Personalised Nutrition: Embrace the principles of Metabolic Balance by adhering to a personalised nutrition plan tailored to your specific metabolic profile. Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods that nourish your body and support metabolic health.

2. Regular Physical Activity: Incorporate a diverse range of physical activities into your routine, including exercises to get your heart rate up, strength training, and flexibility workouts. Movement not only enhances fat metabolism but also improves insulin sensitivity and metabolic function.

3. Stress Management: Prioritise stress-reducing practices such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises to promote parasympathetic activation and mitigate the effects of chronic stress on metabolic flexibility.

4. Quality Sleep: Cultivate healthy sleep habits and prioritise restorative sleep each night to optimise metabolic function and support overall well-being.

5. Lifestyle Modifications: Adopt lifestyle habits that foster holistic wellness, such as spending time outdoors, connecting with nature, and making sure you have meaningful social connections. These lifestyle factors synergistically support metabolic flexibility and enhance overall vitality.

This brings us to the end of this article.

Improving your metabolic flexibility is an excellent goal to have if you truely want to focus on your health. If you want to feel good, have lot’s of energy, be at a healthy weight for you and stay like this well into old age, now is the time to prioritise yourself. Metabolic Balance offers a pathway to this. By embracing personalised nutrition and combining it with holistic wellness practices, and lifestyle modifications, you can enhance your body's ability to adapt and thrive in various metabolic states. This is true health. Not what you look like in a bikini.

If you are interested in learning more, you are so so welcome to book in aFREE 15 minute discovery call with me. Here we can have a chat about what’s going on with your health and decide if Metabolic Balance is right for you. If not, we can always use one of my other naturopathic tools to get you to where you need to be. I am so excited to connect with you.

Carolyn Allen