A key to optimal wellbeing, longevity, and chronic disease prevention, metabolic flexibility directly measures the body’s ability to respond and adapt to conditional changes in metabolic demands. Access to high-calorie processed foods as part of the standard American diet combined with increasingly sedentary lifestyles have directly impacted the ability of the metabolism to be flexible, and thus, support sustained energy production. Studies have shown that metabolic flexibility can prevent and treat metabolic diseases like diabetes and insulin resistance and help the body run at its optimal levels.
The real key to long-term health is not a fast metabolism – it is a flexible one.
What is Metabolic Flexibility?
Metabolic flexibility refers to the capacity of the organism to adapt fuel oxidation to fuel availability as energetic demands and nutrient availability fluctuate. The mechanisms governing fuel selection between glucose and fatty acids impact the risk for insulin resistance. If they are not functioning correctly, long-term health consequences ranging from hypertension to type 2 diabetes and obesity can arise.
Risks Associated with Metabolic Inflexibility
Due to poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles, metabolic inflexibility has become the patient standard. In the short term, this may manifest as decreased energy after meals, midday energy crashes, weight management difficulties, and mental illness symptoms, such as anxiety.
Health Benefits of a Flexible Metabolism
Sustained energy, fewer glucose-related energy crashes, decreased cravings, and optimized fat usage, are only a few of the many benefits of having a flexible metabolism. When the body can seamlessly shift between fuel sources, it can adequately utilize energy instead of inefficiently storing it, resulting in improved weight maintenance, increased energy levels, and decreased risk of metabolic disease. Furthermore, metabolic flexibility is associated with consistent glucose levels, optimized workout performance, better sleep, and improved overall health.
Retraining the Modern Metabolism
Dietary Interventions
Intermittent fasting has proven to achieve metabolic flexibility and address insulin resistance as well. By restricting the food intake for 12-18 hours per day, intermittent fasting allows the body enough time to burn stored fat for energy and release a healthy level of toxins. Combined with intermittent fasting, the benefits of low-carb diets rich in whole, real food are numerous: glowing skin, fat loss, improved brain function, and elevated healthspan.
All forms of physical activity are beneficial to overall health; however, experts believe that a combination of aerobic cardio and strength training exercises can yield optimal results for metabolic flexibility.
The majority of the population has an inflexible metabolism that cannot respond effectively to changing energy demands and nutrient availability. As a result, many struggles with weight management, chronic disease, and poor health and wellbeing. Retraining the metabolism with dietary and other lifestyle interventions can help develop metabolic flexibility – a key component of overall health.
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