Metabolism FAQ’s

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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Hormones Alma Helgesson Hormones Alma Helgesson

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.

Read More

3 simple hacks for better metabolism

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 *

  • The engines of your metabolism. Drive ATP production, regulate temperature, digestion, and mood. Low thyroid = low energy and sluggish everything.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.