Did you know that about one-third of U.S. adults have metabolic syndrome—a condition that raises your risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes? The good news: understanding metabolism and metabolic health can help you take control of your long-term well-being. Here’s what you need to know—and how to check on your metabolic health.
Metabolism is the process your body uses to turn food into energy. It’s not just about burning calories—it’s a complex system of chemical reactions that helps your body function. Metabolic health, on the other hand, is about how well your body keeps healthy levels of key markers like blood sugar and cholesterol.
Why does this matter? According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. have metabolic syndrome, which is a group of conditions that can increase your risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Understanding both metabolism and metabolic health can help you make smarter choices for your long-term well-being.
This process of metabolism includes two main parts:
- Catabolism breaks down food to release energy
- Anabolism builds and repairs tissues in your body
Metabolism also plays a role in regulating your body temperature, balancing hormones and processing medications. It’s influenced by things like your age, muscle mass, hormone levels and genetics. So, while you might think of metabolism as something that speeds up or slows down, it’s really a constant, behind-the-scenes engine that keeps your body running.
What is metabolic health?
Most conditions linked to metabolic syndrome have no obvious symptoms, which is how testing can help.
Checking key markers of metabolism can help you learn about your metabolic health:
- Blood sugar (glucose)
- Blood pressure
- Triglycerides (a type of fat in your blood)
- HDL (“good”) cholesterol
- Waist circumference
If markers like these are within normal ranges without relying on medication to keep them there, you’re considered metabolically healthy.
If one or more of these markers are out of range, consider discussing your risk for metabolic syndrome with your doctor. Your doctor can work with you to manage your risk based on a physical exam and the results of blood tests like:
- Lipid panel: Measures your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These numbers help show your risk for heart disease. For the most accurate results, fast overnight before the test.
- Metabolic panel: Looks at markers related to your kidneys, liver and blood sugar. Fasting overnight before the test helps get the most accurate glucose reading.
- Hemoglobin A1c: Checks your average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months, helping to detect diabetes risk early.
What affects metabolic health?
Many things can contribute to your risk for poor metabolic health, including:
- Sedentary lifestyle (not getting enough physical activity)
- Poor diet (high in sugar, processed foods, and saturated fats)
- Obesity, especially belly fat
- Insulin resistance (when the body doesn’t respond well to insulin)
- Genetics (family history of heart disease, stroke or diabetes)
- Advancing age
It’s important to know that metabolic health isn’t just about body size. A thin person can have poor metabolic health, and someone with a higher body weight can be metabolically healthy. That’s why lab tests and regular checkups are so important. They give you insights based on real data about your metabolic health.
Why metabolism matters
Think of metabolism as your body’s engine; it powers everything you do. Metabolic health is like the dashboard that tells you how well that engine is working. Checking the dashboard can help you identify potential engine problems early before they become bigger problems.
The good news is that simple lifestyle changes can go a long way toward improving or maintaining your metabolic health. Regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and getting routine health screenings can make a big difference.
Take the next step
If you’re curious about your metabolic health, talk to your healthcare provider about routine tests like Labcorp OnDemand’s Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) Test and Diabetes Risk (HbA1c) & Cholesterol Test. These tests can give you insights into your metabolic health status.
Testing may be especially helpful if you have a family history of diabetes or heart disease.
Always consult with a healthcare provider to understand your symptoms, decide if testing is right for you, and interpret your results accurately.
