Metabolism FAQ’s
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ATP is our cellular energy, that fuels all cell functions.
It’s made from carbs, fat, and protein in the mitochondria. Making it requires oxygen, nutrients, and a healthy metabolism.
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the sum of all biochemical processes in the body that convert food and stored energy into cellular energy, ATP, to sustain life.
It includes two main components:
Catabolism: The breakdown of molecules (like fats, carbs, and proteins) to release ATP.
Anabolism: The building and repair of cells, tissues, and molecules using that ATP.
When catabolism produces enough ATP, your body can recover, repair, and make hormones efficiently.
But if ATP is low, anabolic processes slow down—leading to poor repair, low hormone production, and common health issues. -
Small organelles within cells responsible for producing the majority of the cell’s energy, ATP
Healthy mitochondria generate more ATP, which enhance performance and tissue repair.
Unhealthy mitochondria produce less ATP, that weakens cell functions and lead to degeneration in the long run.
Mitochondria are highly dynamic, with their efficiency deeply influenced by how you eat, sleep, move, think, and feel.
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the study of how energy flows through living systems, particularly how cells produce, store, and utilize energy at the molecular level.
It focuses on the biochemical and physiological processes that convert food and oxygen into cellular energy, ATP, and how disruptions in this process affect metabolism, health, and disease.
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Fatigue, low mood, excess weight, cravings, digestive issues, poor sleep, trouble gaining muscle, hormonal imbalances, skin problems, PMS, PCOS, painful periods, anxiety, PTSD, headache, joint pain, inflammation, sick all the time.
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Bioavailability is the degree to which a nutrient is absorbed and used by the body.
Animal based food is generally high, plant based food is generally low.
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PUFA stands for polyunsaturated fatty acids, a type of fat found in foods like seeds, seed oils, margarine, nuts, and fatty fish.
In excess—especially the vegetarian omega-6 PUFA called Linoleic Acid—disrupt metabolism by integrating into our cell membranes, where they are highly prone to oxidation, leading to oxidative stress, promoting inflammation and cellular damage.
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an imbalance between free radicals (unstable molecules) and antioxidants in the body, which can damage cells, proteins, and DNA.
It triggers inflammation and health issues.
Testosterone - More Than Just Muscles
Struggling with low energy, belly fat, brain fog, low libido? Definitely not the vibe you’re after. And It could be low testosterone—and it's not just a guy problem.
Testosterone plays a vital role in human metabolism, muscle maintenance, motivation, and overall health for both men and women. When it drops (naturally with age or from a sluggish metabolism), things like fat gain, mood dips, and hormonal imbalances creep in.
Are you getting enough nutrients, cholesterol, sunlight, and heavy lifting? If not, your testosterone levels might be lower than they should be.
Fuel Up, To Chill Out
Feeling overwhelmed? It’s no surprise. Constant screen time, pressure from work, lack of nature, and big city life keep our nervous systems stuck in high alert.
What we call “normal life” today—endless to-do lists, artificial lighting, noise, notifications—isn’t biologically normal. Your nervous system wasn't designed for this pace or environment.
And most of us are running on low energy to begin with. When energy and nutrient levels are low, the nervous system sees even small stressors as threats—raising cortisol and triggering anxiety, blood sugar spikes, and fat storage.
But with enough fuel and brain energy, your body can handle stress calmly. You think clearer, react better, and feel more in control. Chronic low energy, on the other hand, makes everything harder—leading to brain fog, overwhelm, anxiety and eventually burnout.
So, it’s not just the stress itself—it’s whether your body perceives it has enough energy and nutrients to handle the challenge.
PMS, Painful Periods, PCOS?
Mood swings, anxiety, bloating, trouble sleeping, sore breasts, heavy bleeding, really bad cramps? Irregular cycles?
It’s common - but actually not normal - or necessary!
Hormonal shifts are natural—but they hit harder when your body’s low on nutrients or energy. Making hormones takes a lot of cellular fuel, especially progesterone, which keeps mood stable, inflammation low, and metabolism running smoothly.
The problem? Many women eat too little, skip meals, or follow plant focused diets that lack key nutrients essential for hormone production.
When progesterone drops and estrogen builds up, symptoms like these can follow.
The good news? Your body wants balance. With enough energy and the right nutrients, your hormones can stabilize faster than you think.
Progesterone - Your Hormonal Best Friend
What if I told you there’s a hormone that could transform how you feel day-to-day—calming your anxiety, stabilizing your mood, helping you sleep and keeping inflammation low, and even slowing down aging?
Progesterone is not just a “female” hormone—it’s crucial for both men and women! By keeping excess estrogen in check, it supports brain function, strengthens bones, and maintains smooth, youthful skin. When your progesterone levels are off, everything from anxiety and PMS, headaches to poor sleep and emotional sensitivity can take a serious hit.
And guess what? Low progesterone is more common than you think, especially due to stress, modern diets (poor nutrient density), lack of recovery, certain medications, and menopause.
But it’s not just a woman’s issue. Men need it too, as it plays a pivotal role in maintaining testosterone levels, brain health, and stress management.
Thing is, your body can’t make it out of thin air—it needs the right nutrients and metabolic conditions to produce it.
Estrogen Dominance = Metabolic Dysfunction
Estrogen isn’t the ultimate “female hormone” it's often made out to be. In fact, it tends to rise in both men and women, especially under stress.
Estrogen dominance occurs when there’s too much estrogen relative to hormones like progesterone and testosterone. And it’s not just a women’s issue.
This imbalance can be driven by normal/modern/western diet, ongoing stress, sluggish liver function, or exposure to estrogen-like compounds in the environment, like plastics, personal care products, pesticides, poorly fed animal foods, excess soy and grains.
This hormonal mismatch throws off metabolism in both sexes—slowing fat-burning, disrupting blood sugar regulation, and draining energy - resulting in fatigue, stubborn weight gain, mood swings, poor sleep, and a body that just isn’t running as it should.
It’s linked to conditions like thyroid dysfunction, PCOS, endometriosis, infertility, low libido, and even increased risk of certain cancers. Addressing this imbalance can make all the difference.
3 simple hacks for better metabolism
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1. Ditch seed oils
Avoid seed oils like sunflower, canola, margarine and any processed food containing them (it’s harder than you think - they sneak their ways into everything!)
Use butter, tallow, coconut oil or olive oil instead.
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2. Swap shelf food for fresh food
Change processed carbohydrates like bread, wheat, oats, grains for fresh fruit and root vegetables.
Watch out for long best before dates and ingredient lists.
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3. Include animals, nose-to-tail
Muscle meat, collagenous cuts, skin, marrow, organs, milk, eggs and broth from bones – broad spectrum of bioavailable nutrients and the most reliable way to meet your nutritional needs.
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Hormones 101
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Hormones 101 *
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The engines of your metabolism. Drive ATP production, regulate temperature, digestion, and mood. Low thyroid = low energy and sluggish everything.
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Your stress hormone. Helpful in emergencies, but chronic high levels break down tissue, slow thyroid, and block healing. Lower it with carbs, rest, and safety signals.
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Not really the female hormone made out to be. In excess (very often, both in men and women!), it slows the thyroid, promotes fat storage, and can increase inflammation. Needs to be balanced with progesterone and properly cleared by liver and gut.
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The calming, anti-stress hormone. Supports thyroid, protects against inflammation, stabilizes mood, and balances estrogen. Often low with stress and low nutrient levels. You want more of this!
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Builds muscle, boosts energy, and sharpens focus. Both women and men need it. Depends on enough protein, calories, zinc, and cholesterol. Low levels can cause low libido. Definetly not the vibe your after.
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Often misunderstood. While it’s known as the “feel good” chemical, excess serotonin can actually slow metabolism, suppress thyroid, and increase inflammation. Balanced serotonin is good—but more isn’t always better. Sunlight, carbs, and thyroid support help regulate it naturally.
Metabolism runs on hormones, and hormones are built from the nutrients we eat—powered by the energy (ATP) our cells produce. When energy or raw materials are lacking, hormone balance gets disrupted. And they’re not just about reproduction— they regulate everything from mood to digestion to immune function.