Metabolic flexibility is your body’s ability to switch smoothly between burning carbohydrates and burning fat depending on what you eat and how active you are. This protocol gathers the products I commonly use to support healthy blood sugar regulation and that flexible, efficient metabolism.
Creating a Fullscript account is free, and you can look through every product before you decide anything.
The mechanisms this protocol supports
After a meal, insulin helps move glucose into cells, and between meals the body should shift toward using stored fat. AMPK is the cell’s energy sensor, and it helps coordinate this switch along with mitochondrial function.
Nutrient sensing pathways such as insulin signaling, AMPK and mTOR also influence how cells age, and they respond strongly to diet, movement and sleep. Gut bacteria play a role too, and Akkermansia muciniphila is a bacterium being studied for its connection to the gut lining and metabolic health.
Research has linked reduced metabolic flexibility with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and weight gain around the middle. You can read more in my articles on glycemic control and AMPK.
What is in the protocol
The exact products and directions are listed in the Fullscript plan, and here is what each one is commonly used to support.
- Metabolic Synergy from Designs for Health is a multivitamin and mineral formula with nutrients that support healthy glucose metabolism.
- Berberine with InSea2 combines berberine, which supports AMPK signaling, with a seaweed polyphenol extract that has been studied for post-meal glucose balance.
- ProOmega from Nordic Naturals provides the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA, which support cell membrane health and a balanced inflammatory response.
- Liquid D3/K2 provides vitamin D and vitamin K2, which support immune, metabolic and bone health and work together in calcium metabolism.
- ABC from InfiniWell combines the beneficial bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila with a prebiotic fiber and a peptide complex, and it is commonly used to support the gut lining and a healthy metabolic environment in the gut.
Related protocols you may find helpful include Longevity Foundation.
How to use it thoughtfully
- Please talk with your provider before starting, especially if you take medications, are pregnant or nursing, or have a health condition.
- This page does not list amounts, so follow the label or the specific guidance your provider gives you.
- When you can, add one product at a time so it is easier to notice how you feel.
- Sleep, nourishing food, daily movement and stress care are the foundation, and supplements are meant to build on them.
- Berberine can interact with many medications, including diabetes medications, and it is not appropriate during pregnancy.
- Vitamin K can interact with blood thinners such as warfarin, so check with your prescriber first.
Frequently asked questions
What is metabolic flexibility?
Metabolic flexibility is the body’s ability to switch between burning carbohydrates and burning fat efficiently depending on what you eat and how active you are.
Can I use this protocol if I take blood sugar medication?
Some of these products can affect blood sugar, so please talk with your prescriber before starting and keep monitoring as they recommend.
Do I need an appointment to order these products?
No, you can create a free Fullscript account and order directly, although I always recommend checking with your own provider first, and a free 15-minute consult is available if you would like to talk it through.
Ready to see the full protocol?
Every product I use for this protocol is waiting for you in my Fullscript dispensary.
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Book a free 15-minute consult and we can talk it through together.
Educational purposes only. This page shares general information and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and these products are not intended to replace care from your own healthcare provider. Please talk with your provider before starting any supplement, especially if you take medications, are pregnant or nursing, or have a health condition.
Free: The 28-Day Longevity Reset
A simple day-by-day email guide to sleep, movement, food, and daily habits that support healthy aging. It’s free, and you can unsubscribe anytime.
Get the free guide