Metabolic health is associated with the optimization of body’s capacity to efficiently process, store and use nutrients to produce energy. An unbalanced metabolism can trigger metabolic syndrome leading to diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and neurological conditions that would reduce life span.

The prevention of metabolic syndrome by a healthy lifestyle that includes isocaloric and balanced nutrition, regular exercise, reduced stress and sufficient sleep has been recently complemented by medications such as GLP-1 and/or supplements targeting weight and energy management.

These interventions either directly or indirectly trigger the body to rebalance the caloric intake and consumption by activating catabolic pathways (such as AMPK) and/or input the brain and the gut to increase or decrease certain mediators such as GLP-1, Leptins, Ghrelin, etc. key to healthy metabolism regulating appetite, glucose balance and intake, insulin level, etc.

The outcome is associated with a reduction of internal oxidation and inflammation coupled with improved energy management, including mitochondrial health (network and autophagy).

Food and supplements containing ingredients supporting metabolic health have been growing double digits during the last years and they are predicted to have a CAGR of almost 20% in the next years (1).

From protein bars and powders to gummies and capsules, the industry is thriving on the GLP-1 wave and a consumer looking for healthy options to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome associated with unhealthy food habits, stress and lack of sleep.

The opportunity for supplements to be part of a healthy routine is real, and several suppliers are developing interesting synthetic and natural based ingredients with clinical studies associated with, targeting weight management, brain fatigue, muscle health and sleep quality.

Interestingly, the gap between metabolic health and sport nutrition is getting smaller and some ingredients that were positioned for before/after the gym or for endurance athletes are now used to rebalance metabolic health and in particular nutrient absorption and energy management, in particular for muscle health (2).

Sleep and stress being often correlated have stimulated the conversation beyond melatonin and to focus on a more adaptogenic approach, using natural based interventions with adaptogenic herbal remedies (3). Also started considering the reduction of neuroinflammation associated with sleep deprivation and in the long run the prevention of neurological conditions, having these herbs also anti-inflammatory and neuro-protective activities (4).

Finally, the gut and its microbiome are still very much at the center of attention, and novel probiotics have been proposed (5). However, I am looking with a lot of interest at the rise of precision prebiotics (often of polyphenolic nature) that can indeed help select in or select out existing resident bacterial strains (6). The established link between gut microbiome and the immune system strongly suggests that gut health and immune health are strongly correlated and we do need more advanced prebiotics to be developed.

The longevity revolution is here. The advancement in diagnostics and interventions is a natural consequence of the investment started 20 years ago in mapping our phenotypes, in a deeper understanding of the genome epigenetic and proteome post-translation modifications induced by lifestyle and in the development of diagnostic kits able to measure biomarkers associated with diseases and medical conditions.

This knowledge and set up is allowing drugs and ingredients suppliers as well as brand to develop interventions not only to treat diseases but also to prevent them with the goal of extend longevity and allow for a healthy aging.

Metabolic and hormonal markers can be measured before and after eating and with or without supplements, in blood, urine and saliva, and in the future by wearables!

As we discussed earlier, increased exposure to oxidation (whether is from the environment or from internal stress) and the subsequent onset of inflammation is impacting life span and quality of aging. It is not surprising that powerful antioxidant ingredients such as polyphenol rich- have shown the capacity to improve markers of metabolic health by reducing obesity, systemic inflammation and triggering energy consumption (7, 8)

The balance between efficacy and bioavailability is key to the benefit of these natural ingredients. They have also shown prebiotics qualities and the capacity to rebalance dysbiosis in the gut to reduce metabolic syndrome (9).

While the GLP-1 approach suggests a drastic reprogram of the human body, I personally believe that a more gentle and holistic approach based on natural ingredients with anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic properties is preferred. This holistic approach targeting the root causes of the unbalance instead of the symptoms targeted by the drugs and coupled with lifestyle changes is the preferred approach when a disease is not present. It can help in fact rebalance the imbalance to prevent the occurrence of the disease and its symptoms and to regain the right direction into the healthy aging journey.

Interventions in metabolic health are a must in the longevity journey. Lifestyle and hormonal changes need to be addressed. Thanks to knowledge and technology, we have the possibility to take control of our destiny by making the right choices. As famous American biologist Lee Hood said during his keynote address at a recent conference: “our phenotype is responsible for 90% of our longevity journey. Our genome is only the score, but we are the conductors (10).

Metabolic health is a must to live a better and longer life.