Gaining weight even when you're on a diet? 8 red flags you have a metabolic disorder

When metabolism is unstable the body goes into conservation mode. Instead of burning fat, it’s trying to hold it on for survival (Picture Credit: Canva)

If you are eating less, working out more, but still gaining weight, the problem might not be your willpower — it’s likely your metabolism. If your body’s metabolic system is out of whack, the scale can tick upward no matter how stringent your diet. Knowing the warning signs is the first step to taking real action.

People often blame weight gain on overeating or too little physical activity, but those are not the only factors contributing to our waistlines. For lots of people, it can be especially frustrating because you’re following all the health rules: You’re eating for a trim waistline, ditching junk food and sweets, watching your calorie intake. In such cases, it may be an issue underpinning the problem — a quirk in the body’s metabolic system. Metabolism is what dictates how efficiently the body turns food into energy, and when it’s fucked up, fat storage goes up and weight loss becomes nearly impossible.

Metabolic disorder is far more common than most people think, says Noida- based endocrinologist Dr Rashmi Sharma. She describes how imbalances in hormones, inflammation, nutrient deficits and prolonged stress can quietly sabotage your body's calorie-burning capacity. “When metabolism is unstable the body goes into conservation mode. Instead of burning fat, it’s trying to hold it on for survival,” she says.

Knowing the warning signs can allow you to take charge of your health, get the medical assistance you need, and put a stop to unexplained weight gain.

Constant Fatigue

If you are tired and have had enough sleep, your metabolism may be lower than usual. Low energy means an underactive thyroid or hormonal fatigue. A decrease in energy production results in fewer calories burned by the body.

Sudden Weight Gain

Weight gain despite controlling diet and exercise is also because of imbalance fat. The body is holding onto (or storing) fat instead of using it as a fuel. This symptom should never simply be attributed to lack of will.

Persistent Sugar Cravings

If you often experience sugar cravings, your cells might not be up-taking the glucose as well as they should. This may result in insulin resistance and accumulation of fat. Cravings are frequently the body’s way of telling us that our metabolism is in trouble.

Difficulty Building or Maintaining Muscle

Loss of muscle is a classic indicator of a sluggish metabolism. When metabolic systems go awry, the body starts to break down muscle for energy. “On top of it, losing muscle mass decreases calorie burn.

Brain Fog and Trouble Concentrating

The brain is as affected by metabolic derangement as the body. Impaired nutrient transformation has association to decreased mental clarity and memory. There is also likely a hormonal issue, more than a cognitive fog problem; it may be something to do with your thyroid.

Feeling Cold All the Time

If you are constantly cold, your body may not be generating enough heat with metabolism. This is even more so in cases of underactive thyroid function. An always-low internal temperature only makes weight loss slower still.

Irregular or Disturbed Sleep

When your metabolism gets out of whack, it screws with those hormonal signals that help trigger sleep. Lack of adequate sleep boosts cortisol, which promotes fat storage. This vicious cycle continues until the metabolic problem is corrected.

Digestive Changes

The contemplations, bloating and constipation or slow digestion are all signs of metabolic slowness. With a slow gut, calorie and nutrient breakdown is less effective. A well functioning metabolism needs a healthy digestive system.

FAQs on metabolic disorders:

A metabolic disorder is a condition where the body has difficulty processing nutrients and converting them into energy, often due to enzyme deficiencies or hormonal imbalances.

Symptoms may include unexplained weight gain or loss, fatigue, frequent urination, excessive thirst, slow growth in children, and abnormal blood sugar or cholesterol levels.

They can be inherited (genetic mutations), triggered by hormonal issues, lifestyle factors like poor diet and inactivity, or chronic diseases such as diabetes and thyroid disorders.

Doctors use blood tests, urine tests, genetic testing, and metabolic panels to identify abnormalities in enzymes, hormones, and nutrient levels.

Yes. Treatment includes dietary changes, medications, hormone therapy, supplements, and lifestyle modifications. Early diagnosis improves outcomes.