Ep 19 | What is Metabolic Flexibility & How Can It Improve Your Christian Walk?

In my 24+ years of coaching, there’s one thing I see as the root cause of so many health issues. Many Christian women quietly struggle with low energy, constant hunger, and reliance on snacks or caffeine just to get through the day. Often, this is spiritualised as a lack of discipline or self-control. But what if the issue isn’t willpower at all? I’d put to you that it’s metabolic.

Metabolic flexibility is the body’s God-designed ability to switch between burning carbohydrates and fat for fuel depending on availability and demand. When this system is healthy, energy remains steady, hunger signals are clear, and the body adapts with ease. When it’s impaired, the result is blood sugar crashes, cravings, fatigue, and mental fog—conditions that quietly affect mood, focus, patience, and even prayer life.

Scripture reminds us in Proverbs 3:7–8 that wisdom brings “health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” God cares deeply about how His design functions, not just our intentions.

When metabolic flexibility is compromised, the body becomes dependent on frequent glucose intake. This creates a cycle of needing to eat every few hours, feeling “hangry,” and experiencing emotional reactivity. For Christian women, this often translates into guilt around food, frustration with self-control, and exhaustion that bleeds into spiritual life.

Importantly, this is not a moral failure. Research shows that insulin resistance and poor metabolic flexibility alter hunger hormones like leptin and ghrelin, making cravings stronger and satiety weaker. The body is not rebelling—it’s responding to metabolic stress.

From a biblical perspective, stewardship requires understanding. We are called to care for the temple of the Holy Spirit, not punish it or ignore its signals. When the metabolism is restored, obedience becomes less draining because the nervous system and energy systems are no longer under constant strain.

A metabolically flexible body supports clearer thinking, emotional stability, and sustained energy—all essential for spiritual disciplines like prayer, service, and discernment. Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, which implies care, wisdom, and alignment rather than depletion.

Practically, metabolic flexibility is supported through balanced meals that include adequate protein, healthy fats, and whole-food carbohydrates, alongside periods where the body learns to access stored fuel. This doesn’t require extremes, fasting pressure, or rigid rules. It requires patience, nourishment, and consistency.

Studies show that improving metabolic flexibility can reduce cortisol output, stabilise blood sugar, and improve mitochondrial function. These physiological changes directly impact stress resilience and mental clarity—key components of walking out faith with endurance.

When energy is stable, spiritual fruit grows more easily. Patience becomes accessible. Joy feels lighter. Self-control no longer feels like white-knuckling through temptation but rather cooperating with a body that is no longer in survival mode.

This is where faith and science meet beautifully. God’s design for the body was never meant to work against spiritual life but to support it. When metabolism is healed, food stops dominating thoughts, and space opens for prayer, service, and rest.

If you’ve been blaming yourself for feeling tired, unfocused, or craving-driven, let this be an invitation to release shame. Metabolic healing is not about doing more—it’s about restoring what God already designed to work well.

Supporting your metabolism is not a distraction from your Christian walk. It’s often the very thing that allows you to walk it with greater strength, clarity, and peace.

If you’d like to improve your energy, hormone balance, digestion and/or weight loss and experience greater body, mind and spirit freedom in Christ, book a 1-1 Metabolic Consultation with me – I have a few openings at the moment, but the price is going up soon for the new year. I’d be honoured to support you walk in all the Lord has for you through your better health.

References

Kelley DE et al., Metabolic flexibility and insulin resistance, Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity
Galgan RJ et al., Insulin resistance and hunger signalling, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Mattson MP et al., Fuel switching and metabolic health, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Ludwig DS, The glycemic index and metabolic health, JAMA
Hotamisligil GS, Inflammation and metabolic regulation, Nature

Resources and links mentioned:

FREE Sugar Detox Plan – 7 Simple Steps for Christians to Reduce Sugar Without Giving Up Sweet Foods
www.healthinfaith.com/sugardetox

Book a 1:1 Nutritional Metabolic Breakthrough Consultation
www.healthinfaith.com/breakthrough