What is the Metabolism?

I feel like when people hear me refer to metabolism, they automatically assume I am talking about the ability to gain or lose weight. I actually had a run in with this a few weeks ago when one after the other, clients of mine were dumbstruck when I gave them the true definition of metabolism. The idea of metabolism has to do with energy movement in the body. But not just energy in the sense of “I feel energized” or “I feel fatigued” but energy in that every single cell in our body requires energy movement in order to be alive. Without energy, we die. 

It’s interesting to me that biomedicine seems to discount the idea or concept of energy in practice. I spent some time working on my Doctorate in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, I never ended up finishing that degree, but I was able to spend a lot of time studying traditional Chinese medicine. And something that I found fascinating was how they so intuitively viewed all disease as a blockage of energy (or qi). The movement and flow of qi, according to TCM, is essential for life and vitality. When qi is lost, that’s when death occurs. 

Now Chinese medicine doctors didn’t just view qi as physical but qi had physical, spiritual, and emotional connotations to it. They believe in a holistic view of the human body. But this isn’t common practice in modern America. We’ve so far removed ourselves from this concept in the western world, where other cultures have known and accepted and practiced that we are spiritual and emotional beings alongside physical beings for thousands of years. 

I think the disconnect comes from our excruciating need to categorize and define every little thing in the western world. It was explained to me in school that TCM practices acquire information through empirical evidence. Through what can be observed. Modern biomedicine acquires evidence through data and definition. If it cannot be measured and calculated in some fashion, it doesn’t exist. 

And I experience this every single day with clients of mine who have sought answers from biomedicine, only to be left wanting. They are told “your numbers are normal, you’re fine”. Yet these women know in their gut that something is off. Maybe you’ve been there. This can be an incredibly confusing situation to be in. You start to downplay your symptoms because “everything’s normal” and you should be fine, when really your body is crying for help. But as you know and have probably heard me say before, we are so much more than numbers – than data. And our body is constantly telling us a story of what’s going on on the inside – whether that be spiritual, emotional, or physical and I would argue, all three. 

So when I talk to women who are struggling with hormonal issues, with fertility, the first thing we look at is the metabolism. This is the mechanism of energy production in the body and that begins with your thyroid.  

The thyroid is what drives the metabolism. If thyroid is the form, metabolism is the function. 

By definition, the metabolism refers to “the whole sum of reactions that occur throughout the body within each cell and that provide the body with energy.” This doesn’t just mean your ability to lose or gain weight, this means EVERY system in the body that requires energy. 

Literally – every system. 

Your metabolism is the driving force of energy production and because every system in the body requires energy on some level in order to operate, then if there is not adequate energy production, there will be a slowing or deadening if you will of the subsequent system. 

This is the premise of the field of bioenergetics. 

That’s why I believe it is absolutely essential we talk about fertility through the lens of metabolism. If every system requires energy, then that INCLUDES the reproductive system.

Now I don’t claim to be an expert in this field whatsoever, but I do know that this is what has resonated with me on the deepest level because it makes the most sense in regards not only to human physiology but also to my beliefs as a Christian as well. Let me explain.  

We are energetic beings. The very essence of who we are requires energy. In Genesis two, it says that God breathed the breath of life into the world. His “ruach” as the hebrew states, refers to an actionable movement. Wind, breath, spirit… Energy. Before God spoke, there was nothing. He breathed life into the earth’s lungs and the pulse, the energy, the frequency of the world was set into motion. Then He breathed into us. 

This idea of energy is shown so eloquently inside human physiology. Humans are the pinnacle of God’s creation. He looked at Adam and Eve and said that it was “very good”. We are imagers of the God of Creation. By nature we can create and reproduce because the God of creation creates and reproduces, and this same statement is true on a cellular level. 

Our cells are in a constant state of motion. Every single cell of the body requires energy. 

While I believe us to be MORE than just physical beings, I believe there to be so much complexity in humanity when it comes to our souls, spirits, and emotions… The truth of the matter is many women are not even meeting their basic physical needs, their basic energy demands, and that impacts EVERY aspect of who they are. 

We know and can measure calories as a unit of energy. Nourishment, I believe, is foundational to our wellness because a constant influx of energy is needed to create energy as well. What is that law in thermodynamics? Energy cannot be created or destroyed?? Am I totally botching this (if my dad is reading this I can hear him shaking his head LOL). 

Anyways, we don’t run off of thin air. Energy in must equal energy out or else we are going to be living in a constant state of energy deficit. And this energy deficit, as you know, lowers our thyroid function. And our thyroid hormone is essential to progesterone production. Which is essential to sustain life and pregnancy. 

When you are operating from an energy deficit, your body is not concerned with reproduction. With hair growth. With digestion. With any of your other biomarkers. Anything that is not directly associated with keeping your heart pumping gets slowed down to conserve energy and KEEP YOU ALIVE. All of these markers are a sign of a slowing metabolism – lower energy output – and should be heeded. 

Now before you jump to all the things wrong with your body, I want to tell you exactly what I tell all of my clients, what I preach on social media, what I try to make abundantly clear all.the.time. 

Your body is not broken. 

If you are experiencing symptoms of a slowing metabolism and lower fertility, I want you to take a moment and THANK your body for doing exactly what God designed her to do. To keep you alive during times of stress. To protect your heart. 

And from a place of thankfulness, of gratitude, move in hope towards healing. You are not a slave to a diagnosis. Odds are, there is a blockage of energy somewhere and we need to improve that movement in the body. Start with nourishment. 

What I’ve found in my own personal healing journey is that once I began laying a foundation of nourishment, my capacity to deal with all the other nuances of health and vitality and life grew exponentially. I was able to sit with emotions that I had stored and suppressed for years and years. I was able to offer forgiveness easier. The side effects of me building my energy output wasn’t just a slimmer waist and better cycles, it was more grace, more compassion, more empathy. It’s revolutionized how I approach motherhood. 

I want the same for you. 

If you haven’t already, access my Free Webinar: The Number One Reason You Haven’t Gotten Pregnant Yet. In it I give you simple tools to improve your fertility by supporting your metabolism. Once you download, you will also begin to receive weekly education from me on all things hormones, metabolism, and fertility. Excited to see your health revolutionize!