Metabolic Renewal is a somewhat controversial weight loss program designed to leverage a woman’s natural hormonal changes to improve metabolic efficiency and promote weight loss. According to this program, a successful weight loss journey occurs through diet and exercise tailored to a woman’s hormonal cycle.
Utilizing cycles in hormone levels is a unique approach to target weight loss in women, but does it work? Let’s take a closer look at Metabolic Renewal and see what all the hype is about.
What is Metabolic Renewal?
Metabolic Renewal is a comprehensive health and fitness program designed to optimize metabolism for sustainable weight loss and overall wellness. The program was developed by Dr. Jade Teta, a naturopathic doctor (N.D.) who witnessed his mother struggle to lose body weight through diet and exercise alone.
The root of Metabolic Renewal focuses on addressing hormonal imbalances thought to be responsible for the following symptoms:
- Weight gain
- Difficulty sleeping
- Low energy levels
- Food cravings
- Mood swings
The program emphasizes the importance of hormonal balance, particularly targeting key hormones such as insulin, cortisol, estradiol, and estrogen, to promote fat loss and energy balance. Its holistic approach aims to address both physical and emotional aspects of wellness to support sustainable lifestyle changes and lasting results.
How Metabolic Renewal Works
Metabolic Renewal works by customizing nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle strategies to match your metabolic profile, optimizing hormone balance and metabolic function. According to Dr. Teta, every woman can have a specific program developed for their unique, cyclical hormonal signature.
To get started, women take a hormone test that places them into one of seven hormone types. Using its “4 Ms Framework,” the program creates an individually-optimized roadmap for long-term success. As your hormones change throughout the aging process, so does your plan.
Key Components of Metabolic Renewal
Also referred to as the metabolic pyramid or the 4 Ms, these focus areas are the cornerstones of how Metabolic Renewal claims to use a woman’s natural menstrual cycle to increase the female metabolism and improve overall health.
1) Mindset
The base of the metabolic pyramid is mindset. Developing a positive mindset boosts motivation and confidence, leading to less negative self-talk, better mental health, and a decreased risk of burnout.
Generally, staying positive can control cortisol (a stress chemical) and improve sleep, mood, thyroid function, and metabolism. Relaxation and recovery are integrated into this program to minimize the negative effects of cortisol.
2) Movement
The next component involves engaging in regular physical activity through set exercise plans. Metabolic Renewal consists of four 12-week workout phases, each with three different workouts per week. Each 15-minute workout plan is designed to be high-intensity but short in duration.
Metabolic Renewal has a principle that claims twice as many calories burned through non-exercise activity thermogenesis. This type of guided movement reduces cortisol, improves metabolism, and prevents the breakdown of muscle and bone.
The program claims that purposeful movements can help burn up to 200 percent more calories, leading to weight loss, though there currently is no evidence to support this statement.
3) Meals
The third component of the metabolic pyramid revolves around meals. Instead of focusing on a one-size-fits-all approach, the Metabolic Renewal plan attempts to craft a healthy diet based on hormone cycles in order to promote better metabolic health.
This diet plan focuses on lean proteins, fresh fruits, and vegetables while cutting down on high-sugar, high-fat food choices that may interfere with your metabolism.
4) Metabolics
The fourth component of the metabolic pyramid is metabolics, otherwise known as working out. The Metabolic Renewal plan claims that traditional workouts can actually stress the female metabolism and make you feel worse.
So instead of focusing on traditional exercises, the Metabolic Renewal features Dr. Teta’s famous 45-second, “intelligent” three in one exercises. This approach combines cardio, resistance and fitness training into a 15 minute workout, three times per week.
Pros of Metabolic Renewal
There are always pros and cons to consider when trying out a relatively new wellness program like Metabolic Renewal. The excitement surrounding a new trend can often lead to exaggerations of the results.
Here are some of the potential benefits that stand out:
Recommends An Unprocessed, Whole Foods Diet
One notable benefit of the Metabolic Renewal program is its emphasis on recommending an unprocessed, whole foods diet. Studies show that a whole foods diet can improve energy level, digestion, and metabolic health.
Simple, Flexible, And Easy To Follow
The program is designed to be easy to follow, even for busy women. It includes various resources and tools, such as meal plans, recipes, and workouts, that can help you stay on track.
Offers Options For Several Diet Patterns
The program offers different meal plans to choose from, including low-carb, vegetarian, and vegan. This makes it easy to find a plan that fits your individual needs and preferences.
Cons of Metabolic Renewal
While Metabolic Renewal may offer certain benefits for some people, it’s important to also examine its potential drawbacks before deciding whether or not this plan is worth investing in.
Largely Lacks a Basis in Scientific Evidence
It is important to note that many of the claims made by the Metabolic Renewal program are not reliable or are based on small studies. There is no evidence that this program is able to balance hormones or metabolism. More research is needed to confirm the long-term effectiveness of the program for weight loss.
Doesn’t Offer Much Guidance For Weight Maintenance Post-Program
The program does not provide much guidance on how to maintain your weight loss after you have completed the program. This can be a challenge for many people seeking sustainable fat loss.