METABOLIC & WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

Metabolic Health & Weight Management

Metabolic health goes far beyond calories or willpower. It’s about how your body regulates energy, hormones, blood sugar, and inflammation. When these systems are imbalanced, symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, cravings, mood swings, and difficulty losing weight often follow.

Functional medicine and acupuncture address the deeper factors that affect your metabolism—so that your body can return to a state of balance, clarity, and energy.

Common Concerns We Support:

  • Unexplained weight gain or weight loss resistance

  • Fatigue and low energy

  • Insulin resistance or prediabetes

  • Blood sugar swings or sugar cravings

  • Slow metabolism or difficulty maintaining muscle

  • Elevated cholesterol or triglycerides

  • Hypothyroidism or suboptimal thyroid function

  • PCOS-related weight and hormone imbalances

  • Inflammation and fluid retention

  • Metabolic issues after menopause or birth control

  • Difficulty losing weight despite diet and exercise

Why Metabolic Health Matters

Your metabolism isn’t just about weight—it affects how you feel, think, move, and age. It’s connected to:

  • Hormones (thyroid, insulin, cortisol, estrogen, leptin)

  • Mitochondrial function and energy production

  • Sleep and circadian rhythm

  • Nutrient availability and absorption

  • Gut health and the microbiome

  • Inflammation and toxin load

  • Stress and nervous system regulation

When one piece is out of sync, others try to compensate—and that compensation often shows up as weight gain, sluggishness, or resistance to change, even with effort.

Our Approach to Weight Management

We focus on the root systems that control metabolism—not just calories in and out. This includes the brain-body connection (HPA axis), hormonal balance, digestive function, and detoxification pathways.

  • We explore:

    • Full metabolic history, weight changes, and symptom patterns

    • Thyroid and adrenal function

    • Menstrual cycle and hormonal transitions

    • Stress, trauma, and sleep quality

    • Eating patterns, cravings, and relationship with foo

    • Blood sugar, insulin, and A1c

    • Thyroid function (including T3, T4, reverse T3, antibodies)

    • Hormone testing (DUTCH or serum labs)

    • Inflammatory markers (CRP, leptin, homocysteine)

    • Micronutrient and mitochondrial support testing

    • GI testing if digestive issues are contributing to metabolic slow-down

    • Anti-inflammatory, blood sugar-stabilizing nutrition plans

    • Targeted nutrients (e.g., inositol, berberine, chromium, magnesium)

    • Herbal support for metabolism and hormone balance

    • Mitochondrial and detoxification support

    • Lifestyle strategies that support muscle, sleep, and stress balance

  • Acupuncture can support healthy metabolism by regulating hormones, calming the nervous system, and improving circulation and digestion. It can be especially helpful for:

    • Cravings and emotional eating

    • Stress-related weight gain or fatigue

    • PCOS and cycle-related metabolic issues

    • Thyroid-related weight changes

    • Fluid retention and poor circulation

    • Perimenopausal and menopausal transitions

    In Chinese medicine, metabolism is closely tied to the Spleen, Kidney, and Liver systems, which govern transformation, storage, and circulation. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can support these systems to improve energy, digestion, and metabolic flow.

Metabolic changes and weight concerns are not about willpower—they’re about deeper systems that need support. When we address the root causes—hormones, inflammation, stress, and cellular health—your body can respond with more clarity, energy, and stability. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Dawna Ara to explore your unique metabolic picture and create a personalized plan for long-term wellness and balance.