Can you train your metabolism to be more flexible, or more active, perhaps super efficient? Countless articles, influencers, or diet protocols claim their plan is the secret to weight loss and better health, yet, they don’t always work.
Let me correct myself, they do work, just not same for every person. If you are one of the lucky ones that can start a new eating protocol and it works, congratulations; everyone else, this is for you.
Struggling with health or weight issues is very defeating; it becomes worse when you try something that works for everyone, except you. It’s at this point that motivation is dwindles and giving up seems like the only way.
Perhaps giving up isn’t the only way!
According to Jade Teta in this T-Nation article “How to Train your Metabolism,” we are all unique and need time to adjust to changes in eating habits. He explains that damaged mitochondria interferes with efficient energy production.
…metabolism is that it’s NOT a very good multitasker when it comes to burning fuel. It functions most efficiently when one fuel is dominating over another.
Jade Teta
In this article, Jade discusses carbs and fats being preferred energy sources, protein and ketones can also be burned. The differences between eating fats inhibiting carbs and carbs inhibiting fats from his top down vs bottom up approach piques my thinking and research. He states:
- Acetyl-CoA from excess fat breakdown blocks the burning of carbs.
- Acetyl-CoA from excess sugar breakdown blocks the burning of fats.
- Alcohol acetyl-CoA blocks the breakdown of both fat and carbs.
All is not lost for those who struggle with metabolic flexibility however. Jade suggests taking time to discover yourself, and your metabolism, being an important step. If one of the diets like keto or IF aren’t working initially, your body may need to ease into the plan. As a Precision Nutrition coach, slowing down and working on habits is key, this approach would be effective with the PN plan.
What should you do if your body doesn’t respond to a diet plan:
- Small frequent meals with a focus on protein and fiber allowing mitochondrial repair.
- Single Macro Diets work best when mitochondria healing has taken place. Letting the mitochondria work on one macro at a time to continue healing.
- Intermittent fasting uses periods of time where foods are eaten, followed by times of fasting.
- Matching energy levels with eating styles and changing things up periodically.
ELEL is the winter toggle. (eat less, exercise less)
EMEM is the late spring through early fall toggle. (eat more, exercise more) like ETP
ELEM is the early spring toggle (a few weeks). (eat less, exercise more)
EMEL is the late fall toggle (a few weeks). (eat more, exercise less)
Fat and carbohydrate approaches to dieting may not be good for beginners with metabolic inflexibility. These people tend not to be able to burn either fat or sugar appropriately and also suffer from unrelenting hunger, energy lows, and cravings.
Jade Teta
This indepth article is a books worth of information rolled up into one blog post.
- What are your thoughts regarding metabolic flexibility?
- Have you tried a diet or eating plan with our without success?
- Are you at the point where you aren’t sure why you’re struggling and not wanting to try anymore?
