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Feeling tired, gaining weight, or dealing with stubborn belly fat? It could be more than just lifestyle—your metabolism might be sending you a warning. Here’s what you need to know about metabolic disease.
Let’s face it—“metabolic disease” doesn’t exactly sound like a dinner table topic. But if you care about your health (or the health of your future self), it’s something worth knowing about. In fact, metabolic disease is one of the biggest silent threats to long-term wellness. It sneaks up slowly, often without symptoms at first, and can snowball into major issues like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and more.
What is metabolic disease?
The term “metabolic disease” refers to a group of conditions that disrupt normal metabolism—the way your body uses food for energy. The most common form is metabolic syndrome, which isn’t a disease in itself but a cluster of risk factors. To be diagnosed, a person typically has at least three of the following: high blood sugar, high blood pressure, excess belly fat, high triglycerides, and low HDL “good” cholesterol.
Why is this such a big deal? Because each of these factors increases your risk for serious conditions like type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. Taken together, they form a perfect storm for long-term complications that are harder to manage the longer they go unaddressed.
Now, here’s the kicker: metabolic disease is more common than you might think. According to estimates, around 1 in 3 adults worldwide may have some form of metabolic syndrome. And it doesn’t just affect older adults or people who “look unhealthy.” Even individuals with normal weight can develop what's called TOFI— “thin on the outside, fat on the inside”—where visceral fat builds up around internal organs without obvious signs.
What causes Metabolic Disease?
It’s rarely just one thing. Genetics play a role, but lifestyle is the major player here. Diets high in ultra-processed foods, sedentary behavior, poor sleep, chronic stress, and even exposure to environmental toxins can all contribute. Our modern environment tends to encourage these habits—cheap fast food, desk jobs, irregular sleep schedules—so it’s no wonder metabolic issues are on the rise.
My advice is to give up stevia, aspartame, sucralose, sugar alcohols like xylitol and malitol, and all of the other heavily-used and marketed sweeteners unless you want to slow down your metabolism, gain weight, and become an addict.
- Mark Hyman
The best part? You have the power to change it.
Metabolic disease is highly manageable—and even reversible—with small, consistent lifestyle changes. Here are a few science-backed habits that can make a big impact:
And here’s a helpful mindset shift: Don’t aim for perfection—aim for progress. You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Even modest improvements can shift your metabolic health in a positive direction.
At the end of the day, metabolic disease isn’t just a medical term—it’s a wake-up call. Understanding it gives you the power to act early, take control, and protect your future health.
Because when it comes to your metabolism, small changes can add up to big wins.
Reference/s:
Cherney, K. (2023, January 4). What to know about metabolic disorders. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/metabolic-disorders