What affects metabolism? What role do your genes play in your metabolic health? How can your lifestyle choices influence your body’s chemical balance?
Metabolism is influenced by various factors. Psychiatrist Christopher M. Palmer explores three primary factors and their impact, not only on metabolism but on mitochondrial function and mental health, as well. Understanding these connections can help you make informed decisions about your well-being.
Read on to discover what affects metabolism and how you can take control of your physical and mental health.
Factors That Affect Metabolic Health
In his book Brain Energy, Palmer discusses what affects metabolism, pointing out that each factor also impacts the functioning of your mitochondria and increases your risk of mental illness. He identifies genetics, chemical and hormonal balance, and inflammation as some of the key factors.
#1: Genetics
Research shows that many genes associated with mental illnesses are responsible for your metabolic functioning. Although you can’t change your genes, you can alter how they are expressed. Your DNA contains instructions for how your body functions, and it has chemical tags that can be added or removed. These tags tell your body whether to turn certain genes on or off, for instance.
(Shortform note: Gene editing technology offers potential cures for genetic diseases, including some mental illnesses. However, many people worry about unintended consequences and where to draw ethical lines with tools, like CRISPR, that allow scientists to make precise changes to DNA. Some argue that altering genes could prevent suffering, while others worry it may change a person’s identity or devalue certain groups. Altering genes linked to depression or anxiety could change a person’s identity beyond the epigenetic ways that Palmer discusses. Also, trying to “fix” conditions such as deafness or autism implies that these conditions are problems that need to be solved instead of respecting that they’re parts of human diversity.)
#2: Chemical & Hormonal Balance
Palmer says that your lifestyle also affects the balance of neurotransmitters and hormones in your body, which in turn has an effect on your metabolic health. For example, mitochondria help produce essential neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which affect things such as mood and addiction. Similarly, mitochondria play a role in producing hormones like cortisol and insulin, which help regulate your stress response and blood sugar, respectively.
(Shortform note: When your hormones and neurotransmitters are in balance, your body is in a state called homeostasis. Your nervous and endocrine systems work together to maintain this balanced state. Your nervous system uses neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin for quick, short-term signals, while your endocrine system releases hormones like cortisol, insulin, and estrogen for slower, longer-lasting effects. When these systems are in balance, you’re better able to handle stress, maintain stable moods, and regulate bodily functions like digestion and sleep.)
#3: Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection. While short-term inflammation is helpful because it promotes healing, prolonged or chronic inflammation can be harmful because it constantly uses up the body’s metabolic resources, leaving less energy for normal cellular functions. Lifestyle factors like poor diet, stress, and bad sleep can lead to chronic inflammation, which can both cause and result from mitochondrial dysfunction.
(Shortform note: The symptoms of acute and chronic inflammation can be quite different. With acute inflammation from an injury, you’ll usually notice redness, pain, swelling, and heat in the affected area. The symptoms are localized and can limit your ability to use that body part normally. In contrast, the symptoms of chronic inflammation tend to be more generalized and subtle. You might experience symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, joint pain, skin rashes, and digestive problems. Chronic inflammation can also impact your mood, leading to anxiety or depression.)
