Common Symptoms
Symptoms are often subtle in early stages. May include fatigue, low energy, weight gain or difficulty losing weight, increased thirst, frequent urination, dizziness, headaches, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath. Some people may also have poor digestion, bloating, heaviness in the body, or feel generally “sluggish”. In more advanced cases, there may be numbness, poor circulation, or reduced exercise tolerance.
Possible Causes
TCM View
In TCM, metabolic and chronic conditions are usually related to long-term internal imbalances affecting Qi, blood, fluids, and organ systems (especially Spleen, Liver, and Kidney).
Common patterns include:
- Spleen deficiency with dampness (脾虚湿盛) – Weak digestion leads to accumulation of dampness, resulting in fatigue, heaviness, weight gain, and sluggish metabolism
- Phlegm-damp accumulation (痰湿内阻) – Prolonged dampness transforms into phlegm, contributing to obesity, high cholesterol, and a feeling of blockage in the body
- Damp-heat accumulation (湿热内蕴) – Often associated with diet and lifestyle factors, leading to inflammation-like symptoms, heaviness, irritability, and metabolic imbalance
- Liver Qi stagnation (肝气郁结) – Stress and emotional factors affecting metabolism, digestion, and circulation
- Qi stagnation and blood stasis (气滞血瘀) – Qi stagnation and poor circulation over time, contributing to chronic conditions and increased cardiovascular risk
- Liver and kidney deficiency (肝肾不足) – Long-term depletion affecting hormonal balance, aging-related decline, and chronic disease progression
Modern View
Metabolic disease refers to a group of health conditions that affect how the body uses and stores energy from food. When the body’s metabolism does not work properly, it can lead to problems with blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and body weight.
Common metabolic diseases include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity (overweight)
- High cholesterol
- Fatty liver disease
- Metabolic syndrome – a combination of several metabolic problems occurring together
From a Western medical perspective, metabolic and chronic conditions are typically understood as the result of one or more underlying factors:
- Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome – Blood sugar regulation is impaired, setting the stage for type 2 diabetes.
- Poor diet – Diets high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and processed foods
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Genetic predisposition – Family history can increase susceptibility
- Chronic inflammation – Linked to insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, and other metabolic disturbances.
- Hormonal imbalance – Disruptions in hormones such as insulin, cortisol, or thyroid hormones can affect metabolism and weight.
- Stress and poor sleep
How we treat
TCM
Internal regulation & long-term balance
Personalised herbal prescriptions and acupuncture to target specific constitutional patterns (e.g. tonifying Spleen, clearing damp-heat, activating blood circulation) to improve metabolism
Western medicine
Medication
Drugs such as metformin, statins, or blood pressure medications
Regular Moniotoring
Routine blood tests to track blood sugar (HbA1c), cholesterol levels and liver function
Weight management support
Structured programs, medication or surgical options
Wellness
Lifestyle & dietary modification
Practical guidance on nutrition, weight management, and sustainable habits
Exercise & functional health
Structured activity plans to improve cardiovascular health, insulin sensitivity, and overall energy