Metabolic Health: Understanding the Basics and How to Restore Balance Naturally

Metabolic health is really about one thing: how well your body creates and uses energy. When your metabolism is working well, you feel clear, energized, and balanced. When it’s not, symptoms like fatigue, cravings, weight changes, blood sugar swings, inflammation, and even chronic illness can follow. This month’s Sunshine Sharing talked about this topic.

What Your Metabolism Actually Does

Your metabolism performs three essential jobs every single day:

• Turns food into usable energy
• Converts food into the materials your body needs for repair and growth
• Eliminates metabolic wastes

All the energy your body needs comes from carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Your body uses both anaerobic (glycolysis) and aerobic (Krebs cycle) pathways to produce that energy.

Signs Your Metabolism Is Healthy

A balanced metabolism is reflected in several measurable markers:

• Blood pressure < 120/80
• Triglyceride-to-HDL ratio < 2
• Fasting blood sugar between 70–99
• A1C under 5.7
• Healthy waist measurements for women <35 and Men <40
• Low C-Reactive Protein – an inflammation marker

When Your Metabolism Becomes Imbalanced

Millions of people are living with some form of metabolic dysfunction. Standard terms used to describe this include metabolic syndrome, Syndrome X, and insulin resistance.

Metabolic dysfunction is linked to:

• Cancer
• Fatty liver
• PCOS
• Chronic inflammation
• Heart disease and high blood pressure
• Strokes
• Obesity
• Alzheimer’s
• Anxiety and depression
• Precursor for Diabetes

What Causes the Imbalance

One of the biggest drivers for metabolic dysfunction is the modern diet. Refined sugars, processed starches, and nutrient-poor foods characterize today’s diet.

These refined, processed foods are known as empty-calorie foods because they don’t provide the body with the nutrients it needs to turn them into usable energy. Without those nutrients, sugar easily becomes “dirty fuel,” slowing down mitochondrial function much like a clogged drain.

The Organs Behind Metabolism

Metabolic health is influenced by multiple systems working together:

• Intestines: Fiber and healthy fats help regulate blood sugar; microbiome imbalances can increase sugar cravings.
• Liver: Stores and releases glycogen and breaks down hormones; it becomes less effective when congested or overworked.
• Pancreas: Regulates insulin; high sugar intake leads to insulin resistance.
• Adrenals: Release cortisol during stress, which raises blood sugar.
• Thyroid: Controls metabolic rate; imbalances cause fatigue, weight changes, anxiety, or nervous energy.
• Mitochondria: Produce ATP (your energy currency). Dysfunction here affects the whole body.

How to Restore Your Metabolic Health Naturally

1. Choose Low-Glycemic, Whole Foods

2. Support Your Metabolic Health With Key Nutrients

The following nutrients play a key role in energy metabolism:

• B Vitamins (B1, B2, B5, B6, B12)
• Vitamin C
• Magnesium
• Iodine & Chromium
• L-Carnitine
• CoQ10
• Alpha Lipoic Acid

They help your body convert food into energy, support mitochondrial function, regulate blood sugar, and protect cells from oxidative damage.

3. Herbal Support for Blood Sugar Balance

Several herbs have been used traditionally to support glucose metabolism:

• Bitter Melon
• Cinnamon
• Gymnema
• Fenugreek

These herbs may help regulate blood sugar, improve insulin sensitivity, support pancreatic health, reduce cravings, and support overall metabolic balance.

You Can Improve Your Metabolic Health

Metabolic dysfunction doesn’t develop overnight — and it doesn’t have to stay that way. With nutrient-dense foods, stress support, key vitamins and minerals, and herbal allies, your body can restore balance, improve energy, and support long-term well-being.

You have far more influence over your metabolic health than you may realize — and small, consistent steps can create powerful change. If you are dealing with metabolic issues, enroll in our 13 Week Gut and Glow Program and transform your health.