Unlocking Metabolic Health: The Key to Hormone Balance, Gut Health, and Burning Visceral Fat

by Katrina Froome

Metabolism is the process your body uses to convert food into energy, fuelling everything from your breathing and digestion to hormone production and cell repair. A healthy metabolism is essential for maintaining energy levels, regulating weight, and supporting overall well-being.

When your metabolism is balanced, your body efficiently processes nutrients, burns calories, and keeps your systems functioning at their best. However, factors like stress, hormonal imbalances, and poor gut health can disrupt this balance, leading to fatigue, weight changes, and other health issues.

Metabolic Health dives deeper into the intricate system of our body that manages various factors including blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and fat storage. Cardiovascular issues, Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes are common health conditions that are associated with poor metabolic health.

Balancing your metabolism and metabolic health is key in supporting your body as you age. 

What is Metabolism, and why does It matter?

Your thyroid hormone (TH) regulates metabolic processes essential for normal growth and development as well as regulating metabolism. It is well established that thyroid hormone status correlates with body weight and energy expenditure. 

Metabolism is your body’s way of converting food into energy. It fuels every cell, tissue, and organ, ensuring they operate at their best. A sluggish metabolism can lead to fatigue, weight gain, and even hormonal imbalances, while a healthy metabolism supports:

  • Stable energy levels
  • Efficient fat-burning
  • Hormonal harmony
  • Improved digestion

The Problem with Visceral Fat

Visceral fat is the deep belly fat that surrounds your organs. Unlike the pinchable fat under your skin, visceral fat is metabolically active, meaning it can wreak havoc on your health. It’s linked to:

  • Inflammation
  • Insulin resistance
  • Fatty Liver Disease
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure 

This type of fat is notoriously hard to shift, but the good news is that targeted strategies can make a big difference.

 

The Naturopathic approach to metabolic health

In Naturopathy, we view health as a whole—mind, body, and spirit. By focusing on gut health, hormone balance, and natural interventions, we can address the root causes of poor metabolic health. Here are the pillars of my naturopathic approach:

1. Gut Health: The Foundation of Wellness

Your gut is home to trillions of microbes that influence your metabolism, hormones, and immune system. An imbalance in your gut microbiome can slow your metabolism and promote fat storage. Supporting gut health involves:

  • Eating a diverse, whole-food diet rich in fibre and fermented foods.
  • Avoiding inflammatory triggers like refined sugars and processed foods.
  • Resetting your gut microbiome with programs like my Gut Microbiome Reset Online 8 Week Program.

    2. Hormone Balance: The Metabolic Regulators

    Hormones like insulin, cortisol, and thyroid hormones control how your body stores and burns fat. Stress, poor sleep, and environmental toxins can throw these hormones out of balance. My Body Balance Treatments for Women help restore harmony by addressing emotional and physical stressors.

    3. Exercise: Moving Towards Metabolic Health

    Regular physical activity is vital for boosting metabolism and reducing visceral fat. Exercise helps by:

    • Increasing muscle mass, which burns more calories even at rest.
    • Enhancing insulin sensitivity, aiding in better blood sugar control.
    • Reducing stress, which can otherwise lead to hormonal imbalances.

      Incorporating a mix of strength training, cardio, and restorative practices like yoga can optimize your metabolic health.

      4. The Importance of Sleep

      Sleep is a cornerstone of metabolic health. Poor sleep can:

      • Disrupt hormone levels, including those regulating hunger and stress.
      • Slow down your metabolism.
      • Increase cravings for unhealthy foods.

        Prioritising 7–9 hours of quality sleep per night supports energy, focus, and fat-burning efficiency.

        The Challenges with Popular Weight Loss Medications

        In recent years, weight loss medications such as Ozempic® (semaglutide), Wegovy®, Saxenda®, and newer agents like Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) and Zepbound® have gained significant attention for their ability to support weight loss and improve blood sugar control. These drugs act on hormones that influence appetite, insulin response, and fat metabolism — most commonly through the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) pathway, and in the case of Mounjaro, both GLP-1 and GIP pathways.

        How They Work

        These medications mimic naturally occurring gut hormones that help regulate appetite and blood sugar by:

        • Reducing appetite and cravings through signals that promote a sense of fullness.

        • Slowing gastric emptying, which helps manage blood sugar and prolong satiety.

        • Decreasing calorie intake, leading to weight loss over time.

        While they can be effective tools for some individuals, it’s important to understand their potential limitations and risks:

        • Common side effects: nausea, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite.

        • Long-term considerations: possible impacts on pancreas and gallbladder health, with an increased risk of pancreatitis or gallstones.

        • Hormonal disruption: these medications can alter natural hunger and fullness cues, leading to difficulty maintaining results after discontinuation.

        • Nutrient depletion: reduced food intake may contribute to lower nutrient and mineral levels, affecting energy and mood over time.

        • Cost and accessibility: they remain expensive and may not be sustainable or suitable for everyone.

        While pharmaceutical support can provide short-term benefits, lasting metabolic health depends on addressing the root causes of imbalance — through nutrition, lifestyle, mineral balance (HTMA), and gut microbiome support. These natural approaches help rebuild metabolic flexibility and energy, so the body can maintain healthy weight and blood sugar balance without long-term medication reliance.

        Where Natural Support Fits In

        While weight loss medications can offer a temporary boost, they don’t always address why the metabolism became sluggish in the first place. This is where naturopathic care provides a deeper, more sustainable approach — identifying and correcting the underlying drivers such as mineral imbalances, hormonal shifts, gut dysbiosis, inflammation, and chronic stress.
        By focusing on restoring balance through targeted nutrition, herbal support, and functional testing (including HTMA and microbiome analysis), we can rebuild metabolic resilience and long-term energy — helping your body find its natural equilibrium without dependence on medication.

        The bigger picture: sustainable metabolic health

        True metabolic health is about more than quick fixes. It’s about aligning your lifestyle with your body’s natural rhythms, eating nutrient-dense foods, managing stress, and incorporating targeted support like my herbal drops and naturopathic treatments. By addressing the root causes of poor metabolism, you can:

        • Shed stubborn visceral fat
        • Improve energy and mood
        • Balance your hormones naturally
        • Support long-term gut health

        Medications as a hidden cause of weight gain

        While some medications, like Ozempic, are prescribed for weight loss, others may inadvertently contribute to weight gain. Understanding this connection is vital for anyone struggling with unexplained weight changes.

        Common medications linked to weight gain

        1. Antidepressants and Antipsychotics: Medications like SSRIs or atypical antipsychotics can alter appetite and metabolic rates.
        2. Beta-Blockers: Often prescribed for heart conditions, these can reduce metabolic rate and energy expenditure.
        3. Corticosteroids: These anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to increased fat deposition, especially around the abdomen.
        4. Birth Control Pills: Hormonal contraceptives may affect metabolism or lead to water retention, causing weight gain.
        5. Diabetes Medications: Certain medications to manage blood sugar may encourage weight gain instead of fat loss.

        Herbal stimulants and weight loss: proceed with caution

        In the pursuit of weight loss and fat burning, many turn to over-the-counter herbal stimulants or "natural" weight-loss aids thinking that they are safe to use. While these products often promise quick results, they can come with significant risks, especially when self-prescribed without professional guidance.

        What to watch out for with herbal stimulants:

        1. Hidden Stimulants: Many weight-loss supplements contain caffeine or other stimulants, which can cause jitteriness, increased heart rate, and insomnia. Long-term use may strain the cardiovascular system.
        2. Unregulated Ingredients: The herbal supplement industry isn’t as strictly regulated as prescription drugs. This means products can contain unlisted ingredients or contaminants.
        3. Hormonal Disruption: Some herbs may interfere with thyroid function, cortisol levels, or other hormonal processes critical to metabolic health.
        4. Gut Health Impact: Certain supplements can irritate the gut lining, disrupt the microbiome, or worsen conditions like IBS.
        5. Dependency Risks: Regular use of stimulants can lead to dependency, making it harder for your body to regulate energy and metabolism naturally.

         

        The Naturopathic Perspective

        November marks Diabetes Month — a timely reminder of how vital balanced blood sugar is for every aspect of our health. Blood sugar dysregulation and insulin resistance don’t just affect energy and weight; they also influence hormonal balance, inflammation, gut function, and mood stability.

        Chronic stress, nutrient deficiencies, and poor sleep can all impair insulin sensitivity, while excess visceral fat further disrupts hormones such as estrogen, cortisol, and leptin — creating a cycle of fatigue, cravings, and metabolic slowdown.

        The good news is that these patterns are reversible. Through individualised nutrition, herbal and mineral therapy, and functional testing such as HTMA and microbiome analysis, we can uncover underlying imbalances that drive metabolic stress. By restoring balance, the body becomes more efficient at managing blood sugar — improving mood, energy, and long-term vitality.

        Reclaim Your Metabolic Balance Naturally

        If you’ve been experiencing fatigue, stubborn weight gain, hormonal changes, or difficulty maintaining balanced blood sugar, you’re not alone — and there are effective, natural ways forward. Functional testing, including HTMA and Microbiome Mapping, can identify the deeper causes of poor metabolic function and guide a personalised treatment plan that supports your body’s unique needs.

        ✨ Book a consultation today to explore how naturopathy can help you restore balance, enhance energy, and achieve healthy, sustainable weight management — naturally.

         

        Book your Consultation

         

        Yours in health and wellness,

         

         

        Katrina xxx

         

         

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