When we talk about metabolism, most people immediately think about weight. Having a fast metabolism, a slow metabolism, or finding it harder to lose weight as we get older.

But metabolic health is about so much more than your weight, and understanding it could be one of the most important things you do for your long-term health.

In episode 310 of the Fab Female Nutrition Podcast, I'm continuing my healthy ageing series by exploring how our bodies produce, use and store energy, and why keeping these processes working efficiently is so important as we get older.

We'll look at the relationship between blood glucose and insulin, including why you can have perfectly normal blood sugar levels while your body is already working harder to maintain them. I'll explain insulin sensitivity, what happens when we become insulin resistant, and why this matters for our risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

We'll also explore metabolic flexibility – our body's natural ability to switch between using glucose and fat for energy. It's something our bodies are designed to do, but modern lifestyles, with less movement, disrupted sleep and easy access to food throughout the day, can contribute to poorer metabolic health.

The good news? There are plenty of simple things we can do to support it.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• Why metabolic health and metabolism aren't quite the same thing.

• How blood glucose and insulin work together, and why insulin sensitivity matters.

• What metabolic flexibility means and how we can support it.

• The importance of muscle, movement, balanced meals and good sleep.

• Why eating regular, satisfying meals rather than constantly grazing may be helpful.

• Why understanding your health markers, including HbA1c, cholesterol, triglycerides and fat distribution, gives us a much better picture of metabolic health than weight alone.

One of the things I'm particularly passionate about is understanding what's happening inside our bodies before problems develop.

You don't necessarily feel insulin resistance developing, and changes in cholesterol or blood glucose can happen long before you notice any obvious symptoms.

That's why I'm such an advocate of regular health checks. Understanding your results gives you an opportunity to make informed changes now, rather than waiting until something goes wrong.

Annual Health Test and Consultation

My Annual Health Test includes important markers such as HbA1c, cholesterol, triglycerides and liver function, alongside key nutrient markers. You'll also have a personalised consultation with me to understand your results and discuss practical nutrition and lifestyle changes.

Find out more: https://hillstart.me.uk/product/annual-blood-test/

Thank you to our sponsor, Revive Active

Good nutrition provides the building blocks for healthy cellular function. In this episode, we also touch on CoQ10, a naturally occurring compound involved in mitochondrial energy production.

Explore the Revive Active supplement range at https://reviveactive.com and use my code WENDY15 for 15% off.

Because healthy ageing isn't about being the smallest version of yourself or chasing a faster metabolism.

It's about building a body that can manage energy efficiently, maintain strength and support your health, independence and quality of life for decades to come.

Next week, we're finishing our healthy ageing series by looking at something that doesn't get nearly enough attention: the importance of community, friendship, laughter and having a sense of purpose.