Reset Your Metabolism Naturally: Clinical Insights from 30 Years of Practice

We all love the feeling of shifting a few extra kilos it makes us feel lighter, healthier, more energetic, and of course, more confident in our clothes. But here’s the truth: most weight loss diets are unsustainable. They ignore your unique genetics, hormones, gut health, and lifestyle factors. That’s why many people experience the “rebound effect” the weight comes back with a vengeance the moment you eat something outside the plan.

As a clinical naturopath with over 30 years of experience, I know that true metabolic health isn’t about deprivation or quick fixes. It’s about uncovering the drivers that are slowing your metabolism, then tailoring nutrition, lifestyle, and natural medicine to reset your body’s fat-burning potential.

Why Your Metabolism Slows Down

While excess sugar, refined flour, alcohol, and processed foods are common culprits, there are many hidden factors that can sabotage weight loss, including:

• Genetics → Your DNA influences metabolism, appetite, and fat storage. At Wholistic House, we offer DNA-based nutrition and exercise profiles to pinpoint your ideal weight loss strategy.
• Hormonal Imbalances → Low thyroid, PCOS, adrenal dysfunction, insulin resistance or high estrogen can all hinder fat loss.
• Chronic Stress → Stress hormones like cortisol drive cravings, disrupt sleep, damage the gut, and alter insulin response.
• Sleep Deprivation → Did you know 60% of fat burning happens while you sleep? Poor sleep alters leptin and ghrelin — the hormones that regulate appetite.
• Nutrient Deficiencies → Low levels of iodine, magnesium, vitamin D, or iron can block weight loss.
• Gut Dysbiosis → An unhealthy gut microbiome (imbalanced bacteria) is often at the core of stubborn metabolic problems.

Interesting fact: Research shows that people with a higher ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes bacteria in the gut tend to extract more calories from food making them more prone to weight gain, even on the same diet.

Functional Testing to Uncover the Root Cause

To reset metabolism, we first need clarity. The following tests can help identify hidden blockages:

• Gut microbiome testing → identifies bacteria that affect metabolism.
• Hormone profiling (DUTCH test) → checks cortisol, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone.
• Comprehensive blood work → HbA1C, fasting glucose, thyroid profile (TSH, T3, T4, Reverse T3), leptin, CRP, ESR.
• Mineral & heavy metal testing → uncovers deficiencies and toxic burdens – we love to do this in clinic

Nutritional Shifts That Work

To kickstart your metabolism, try incorporating these evidence-based dietary strategies:

Increase:

• Fibre-rich foods → legumes, chia, flax, leafy greens. Fibre stabilises blood sugar and improves satiety.
• Omega-3 fatty acids → wild salmon, sardines, hemp seeds, walnuts. They reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity.
• Protein → organic chicken, turkey, lentils, tofu, seeds. Protein boosts thermogenesis (calorie burning) – aim for at least 1 gram or more per kilo of body fat
• Thermogenic foods → chilli, ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper help burn fat via heat production.
• Matcha green tea → rich in EGCG, shown to boost fat burning.
• Purified water → at least 8 glasses daily to optimise detoxification and fat metabolism.

Reduce or avoid:

• White flour, sugar, and fried foods.
• Processed dairy and margarine.
• Alcohol — it halts fat burning and spikes cravings.

Interesting fact: Alcohol can stop fat burning for up to 12 hours after drinking, because your liver prioritises breaking it down before burning fat.

Some of My Fav Natural Supplements for Metabolic Health 

• DIM (Diindolylmethane) or I3C or Broccoli Sprout Powder → supports healthy estrogen metabolism, helping reduce fat storage on hips and thighs.
• PHGG (Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum) → a prebiotic fibre that improves satiety and gut health.
• Chromium Picolinate and Berberine → stabilises blood sugar and reduces cravings.
• Vitamin D → low levels are strongly linked with obesity; sunlight and supplementation both help.
• Magnesium → regulates glucose, supports muscle function, improves energy.
• CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) → a fatty acid naturally found in grass-fed organic meats and dairy products; research links CLA with reductions in abdominal fat.

Herbs & Medicinal Mushrooms

• Maitake mushrooms → rich in beta-glucans that regulate blood sugar and appetite.
• Coleus forskohlii → stimulates thyroid hormone and fat breakdown.
• Green tea extract → rich in catechins for thermogenesis.
• Green coffee bean → may reduce carb absorption and support blood sugar balance.
• Capsaicin (chilli) → increases fat oxidation and reduces hunger hormone ghrelin.
• Garcinia cambogia → may reduce fat storage and appetite.
• Turmeric (curcumin) → anti-inflammatory and supports fat metabolism.

Final Words from 30 Years of Clinical Experience

Resetting your metabolism isn’t about “eating less and exercising more.” It’s about identifying your personal drivers whether that’s hormones, stress, gut health, or nutrient deficiencies and then applying targeted nutrition, lifestyle, and natural medicine.

When you work with your body instead of against it, weight loss stops being a battle and starts becoming a natural outcome of restoring balance.

In Love, Happiness and Healthy Metabolism,