Metabolic brands

Midlife is no longer to blame for weight gain, according to a new study published in August 2021 by Science, which revealed that the rate of metabolism remains stable between ages 20 to 60 years old. The findings cast a new light on the link between gut health, energy levels and digestion—and how to optimize them.

At the beginning of this year, Dr. Will Cole published “Intuitive Fasting,” a book about how to use fasting to recharge metabolism and renew health—which Gwyneth Paltrow chose as the first book to be published by Goop Press as part of the brand's new publishing partnership with Rodale Books, a division of Penguin Random House. Dr. Cole likens the flexible approach to fasting to “proverbial yoga class for your metabolism.” Promoting, supporting and hacking the metabolism is becoming a space that wellness startups are swooping in to occupy—for a healthy boost that is easy to digest.

Trackers

Metabolism trackers have been receiving a lot of attention in recent months. Lumen, which launched in May 2020 after raising over $17 million in funding, promises to “hack your metabolism.” Founded by sisters Michal and Merav Mor, Lumen’s device works like a breathalyzer—after one exhale, the technology analyses in real-time whether the user is burning carbohydrates or body fat for energy and offers advice on nutrition, fitness, and sleep plans.

New York-based Levels created a biowearable that monitors and maximizes metabolic fitness for users to live a “longer, fuller, healthier life.” Founded in 2019, the startup received a $12 million investment in November 2020 for its biowearable, which is currently in beta stage, with plans to roll out to consumers soon. Helsinki-based Veri is another biowearable startup, founded in 2020. Its wearable device tracks blood sugar levels and pairs with Veri’s app, which acts as the “metabolic compass.”

Boosters

Want to super-charge your metabolism? Goop and Sakara both have super powders with ingredients to promote metabolic health. Sakara’s Metabolism Super Powder uses plant-based ingredients like horsetail extract, which eases bloating, and kelp extract, which supports lipid metabolism, according to the brand’s site. Goop’s Metabolism-Boosting Superpowder includes 7-Keto® DHEA, an ingredient that has been shown to boost metabolism and support healthy body weight, the brand says.

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Meanwhile, prebiotic soda startup Mayawell launched in 2020 and uses organic, hand-harvested Active Agave which “boosts metabolism, strengthens the immune system, and improves digestion.”

Research has shown that only 12% of Americans are considered metabolically healthy, according to a 2018 study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Global Public Health. As health becomes a prominent focus for everyone, metabolic brands are launching into market to monitor overall wellness needs for health-conscious consumers.

Main image courtesy of Mayawell.