Why is metabolic health important for your lifespan? 

Published October 12, 2023. Last updated May 6, 2026.

Only about 12.2% of US adults are metabolically healthy. But what does being metabolically healthy actually mean? 

Metabolic health refers to how efficiently we store, process, and use energy from the food we eat. If you are metabolically healthy, it means your blood sugar, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist size are all within a healthy range without taking medication. 

However, when three out of five of those risk factors are elevated, it can be an indicator of poor metabolic health, sometimes referred to as “metabolic syndrome.” When these warning signs go unchecked over time, they can increase your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other serious health conditions. 

But the good news is that lifestyle changes can greatly improve your metabolic health.  

What factors influence your metabolic health? 

There are many factors that influence your metabolic health, from your diet and exercise to age and metabolism. Some people mix up metabolism and metabolic health, and while the two are related, they are different concepts.  

Think of your metabolism as your body's engine, and your metabolic health is the report card on how well that engine is running. Understanding this connection is the first step toward making more informed choices for your long-term well-being. 

Understanding metabolism reactions 

Metabolism involves thousands of different chemical reactions, but can be divided into two main categories: 

Anabolism:

• Building muscle tissue
• Repairing damaged cells
• Producing hormones
• Storing energy
• Producing new blood cells
• Adding minerals back into bones
• Healing wounds
• Growing hair

Catabolism:

• Breaking down food into nutrients
• Digesting carbohydrates (sugars/starches), proteins, and fats
• Generating energy
• Removing waste products
• Breaking down damaged cells
• Releasing heat

When the chemical balance is thrown off 

In a healthy body, catabolism and anabolism work in perfect harmony. Catabolism provides the energy, and anabolism uses it to build, repair, and maintain your body. 

However, this balance can be impacted by a range of factors like age, poor diet, poor quality sleep, inactivity, and more.  

Your metabolism is the engine responsible for keeping your body’s processes running smoothly. When it's constantly overloaded, it becomes less efficient. Instead of properly using sugar for energy, your body leaves too much in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar. Instead of metabolic processes burning fat, your body starts storing it in and around your organs and in your blood, which raises triglycerides and blood pressure. 

Metabolic syndrome is essentially a sign that your metabolism is struggling to keep up with the demands placed on it, causing those key health warnings to appear. 

The big question: How can you maintain good metabolic health? 

Poor metabolic health can put you at risk of developing certain conditions like stroke, diabetes, and heart disease in the future. While there’s not a simple overnight fix, you can help reverse metabolic syndrome with lifestyle changes including:  

• Consuming a range of nutrient-rich foods 
• Exercising consistently  
• Focusing on getting restorative rest with a regular sleep schedule and limited device use before bed 
• Managing stress as chronic stress can release cortisol, which may lead to increased insulin resistance

And if you suspect you may have one or multiple metabolic syndrome risk factors—high levels of blood sugar, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and/or increased waist size—or just want to be proactive, the best way to know your health markers is to get checked with lab tests.  

As always, discuss your lab results with your healthcare provider who can consider your background, family history, and other factors to determine the best steps forward.  

What does a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel have to do with understanding metabolism?

A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is a blood test that measures 14 different substances in your blood to check your body's chemical balance and metabolism. The results of a CMP can provide valuable information about your metabolic health, organ function, and overall well-being. Imbalances in these substances can mean problems with vital organs like the liver and kidneys. Monitoring these markers can also help doctors diagnose and manage a variety of health conditions.

How do hormones affect metabolism? 

Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate many bodily functions, including metabolism. 

Any changes to your hormones caused by things like menopause, thyroid disorders, or diabetes can affect these processes. This can affect how your body manages energy, and that can have a say in your overall metabolism and health. 

Thyroid health: Is your metabolic control center in check? 

Your thyroid gland is one of the metabolic control centers that keeps your body running smoothly. It produces hormones that regulate your metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Having too little or too much thyroid hormone can throw your metabolism off balance. 

No doctor visit is required to buy your own lab test at questhealth.com. PWNHealth and its affiliates review your purchase to ensure it is medically appropriate before submitting the test order for processing. PWNHealth also reviews your test results and will contact you directly if they require prompt attention. Included in each purchase is the ability to discuss your test results with an independent healthcare provider; however, you are also encouraged to speak with your primary healthcare provider.