Metabolic Health & Weight Optimization

Insulin Resistance • Blood Sugar Regulation • Inflammation • Sustainable Fat Loss

A Root-Cause Approach to Metabolic Health & Sustainable Weight Optimization

Lasting weight optimization is not about willpower, calorie restriction, or excessive exercise. It is about restoring metabolic safety and physiological balance.

When insulin signaling, hormone regulation, mitochondrial function, gut health, detoxification pathways, and the nervous system are dysregulated, the body resists fat loss and retains weight as a protective response.

At Denver Sports & Holistic Medicine, Dr. Martina Sturm provides a root-cause, functional medicine approach to metabolic health and sustainable weight optimization. Care is personalized using advanced diagnostics, nutrition and lifestyle medicine, mitochondrial support, hormone regulation, and nervous system balance.

Signs Your Metabolism Needs Support

You may benefit from metabolic optimization if you experience:

• Difficulty losing weight despite “doing everything right”
• Weight gain concentrated around the midsection
• Sugar or carbohydrate cravings
• Energy crashes mid-morning or mid-afternoon
• Brain fog, low motivation, or poor mental clarity
• Irregular appetite or emotional eating
• Poor sleep or nighttime waking
• Perimenopause, menopause, thyroid dysfunction, or PCOS
• Elevated cholesterol or triglycerides
• High fasting insulin or elevated blood sugar
• History of yo-yo dieting or overtraining

These patterns are signs of insulin resistance, cortisol dysregulation, mitochondrial stress, chronic inflammation, or hormone imbalance—not a lack of discipline.

Conditions We Commonly Support

• Insulin resistance and prediabetes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
• PCOS and hormone-related weight gain
• Perimenopausal and menopausal weight changes
• Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s-related weight issues
• Chronic stress and cortisol dysregulation
• Postpartum metabolic changes
• Stubborn weight following illness, mold exposure, or chronic infections
• Post-diet metabolic slowdown

→ Chronic Illness & Complex Case Care

Our Root-Cause Approach to Metabolic Health

We do not force short-term weight loss. Instead, we restore the physiological safety signals that allow the body to release stored energy, reduce inflammation, and optimize metabolism naturally.

Your personalized plan may include:

• Functional lab testing
• Hormone and thyroid assessment
• Nutrition tailored to your metabolic profile
• Mitochondrial support
• Nervous system regulation
• Detoxification and gut restoration
• Movement and recovery strategies

→ Advanced Functional Lab Testing

Comprehensive Metabolic & Hormone Assessment

Depending on your presentation, we may assess:

• Fasting insulin, glucose, HbA1c
• Lipid panels and particle patterns
• Inflammatory markers
• Full thyroid function including antibodies
• Sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA)
• Cortisol rhythm and stress hormones
• Micronutrient status
• Gut and microbiome health
• Mitochondrial and oxidative stress markers

→ Women’s Hormone & Reproductive Health
→ Longevity & Mitochondrial Health

Food as Metabolic Medicine

We replace rigid dieting with a sustainable nutrition framework that supports metabolic repair.

This may include:

• Blood sugar and insulin stabilization
• Adequate protein and healthy fats
• Anti-inflammatory whole-food patterns
• Meal timing strategies when appropriate
• Digestive and gut support

→ Gut Health & Digestive Restoration

Detoxification & Inflammation Reduction

Toxins and chronic inflammation impair insulin signaling, thyroid function, and mitochondrial energy.

Support may include:

• Liver and bile flow optimization
• Lymphatic drainage
• Mycotoxin or heavy metal support when indicated
• Mitochondrial repair
• Environmental toxin reduction

→ Detoxification & Environmental Medicine

Hormones, Thyroid & Metabolic Signaling

Hormones influence fat distribution, cravings, stress response, sleep, and motivation.

We support:

• Thyroid function including subclinical patterns
• Perimenopause and menopause transitions
• PCOS and estrogen-progesterone balance
• Cortisol and HPA-axis regulation
• Leptin and appetite signaling

→ Women’s Hormone & Reproductive Health

Mitochondrial & Cellular Energy Support

When cells cannot efficiently produce ATP, weight loss stalls.

Support may include:

• Mitochondrial nutrients (CoQ10, carnitine, B vitamins, minerals)
• Red Light Therapy for ATP production
• Gentle movement to increase mitochondrial density
• Sleep and circadian rhythm optimization

→ Longevity & Mitochondrial Health
→ Red Light & Photobiomodulation

Nervous System & Stress Regulation

Chronic stress keeps the body in fat-storage mode.

We use:

• Acupuncture for HPA-axis and vagal tone
• Breathwork and somatic tools
• PEMF and bioenergetic therapies
• Sleep optimization strategies

→ Bioenergetic & Nervous System Therapies
→ Acupuncture & Nervous System Regulation

Movement, Strength & Recovery

Movement is prescribed strategically—not excessively.

Plans support:

• Insulin sensitivity
• Lean muscle development
• Joint health
• Mood and resilience

→ Sports Medicine & Injury Recovery

Who This Program Is Ideal For

• Women and men who feel “stuck” with their weight
• Individuals with insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome
• Patients with thyroid or hormone-related weight gain
• Those recovering from chronic illness, mold, Lyme, or long COVID
• Anyone seeking better energy, mood, and long-term disease prevention

Metabolic Health Is About More Than Weight

Optimizing metabolism improves:

• Energy stability
• Sleep quality
• Cognitive clarity
• Mood resilience
• Pain and inflammation
• Long-term risk of diabetes, heart disease, and neurodegeneration

Weight loss becomes a natural outcome—not a constant battle..

Ready to Work With Your Body—Not Against It?

If willpower-based strategies have failed, it may be time for root-cause metabolic repair.

Begin a personalized Metabolic Health & Weight Optimization plan that honors your biology, your history, and your goals.

Related Services

→ Functional & Integrative Medicine
→ Women’s Hormone & Reproductive Health
→ Chronic Illness & Complex Case Care

Frequently Asked Questions About Metabolic Health & Weight Loss Resistance

1. Why can’t I lose weight even though I’m eating healthy and exercising?

Weight loss resistance is rarely about willpower. Metabolism is influenced by hormones, thyroid function, fasting insulin, cortisol, inflammation, toxins, mitochondrial efficiency, sleep, and nervous system regulation. When these systems are imbalanced, the body holds onto stored energy as a protective response. Our root-cause approach identifies which systems need support so the body can safely shift into fat-burning mode.

2. Do you offer weight loss medications?

We do not rely on appetite suppressants or stimulant-based medications. In select cases, metabolic peptides may be considered, but only within a comprehensive plan that addresses hormones, gut health, inflammation, and nutrient status. Many patients achieve meaningful progress without medications once root causes are corrected.

3. What labs do you run for metabolic health?

Testing is individualized and based on your symptoms, history, and goals. Labs may include fasting insulin and glucose, HbA1c, a comprehensive thyroid panel with antibodies, cortisol rhythm assessment, comprehensive hormone evaluation, lipid and advanced lipoprotein profiles, inflammatory markers, micronutrient status, mitochondrial and metabolic markers, and gut or microbiome analysis.

4. Can thyroid or hormone imbalance cause weight gain?

Yes. Even labs that fall within “normal” ranges can mask functional thyroid underperformance or hormone imbalance. Shifts in estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol directly influence metabolism, appetite, fat storage, and energy levels. Optimizing hormone signaling is a core component of metabolic repair.

5. Do you put patients on strict diets?

No. We do not use extreme caloric restriction or one-size-fits-all diets. Nutrition is tailored to your metabolism, insulin response, hormones, and digestive health. The goal is to stabilize blood sugar, reduce cravings, support satiety, and restore metabolic flexibility.

6. Is this program helpful for people with perimenopausal or menopausal weight gain?

Yes. Hormonal transitions significantly impact insulin sensitivity, sleep, cortisol regulation, thyroid function, and fat distribution—especially abdominal weight. Addressing these shifts is essential for sustainable metabolic health during perimenopause and menopause.

7. Do I have to come into the clinic?

Not necessarily. Most metabolic evaluations, lab reviews, and follow-ups can be completed through telemedicine. In-person visits are available for patients who benefit from hands-on therapies.

8. How long does it take to see results?

Many patients notice improvements in energy, sleep, and cravings within 2–4 weeks. Visible body composition changes often occur over 8–12 weeks, with deeper metabolic repair continuing over several months. The focus is long-term stability rather than rapid, temporary results.

9. Can detoxification help with weight loss?

Yes. Environmental toxins, mold, plastics, pesticides, and heavy metals can disrupt thyroid function, insulin signaling, mitochondrial energy production, and fat metabolism. Supporting detoxification is often a missing link in stubborn metabolic cases.

10. Does stress really affect weight?

Absolutely. Chronic stress elevates cortisol, increases abdominal fat storage, disrupts sleep, and drives cravings—especially for sugar and refined carbohydrates. Regulating the nervous system is essential for restoring healthy metabolic signaling.

11. Will I need to exercise more?

Not necessarily. Over-exercising can worsen metabolic resistance. We focus on movement strategies that build muscle, improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and support recovery—without pushing the body further into stress or burnout.

12. Why am I gaining weight even though I’m eating very little?

When calorie intake is chronically low, the body can interpret this as a stress signal and slow metabolism to conserve energy. This often involves cortisol elevation, thyroid suppression, insulin resistance, muscle loss, and mitochondrial downregulation. Weight gain in this context is not a failure of discipline—it is a protective metabolic response. Restoring adequate nutrition, hormone signaling, and cellular energy production is often necessary before weight can safely normalize.

13. can I have insulin resistance even if my blood sugar is normal?

Yes. Insulin resistance often develops years before fasting glucose or HbA1c become abnormal. Elevated fasting insulin, post-meal glucose spikes, inflammation, and triglyceride patterns are early indicators that standard labs frequently miss. Addressing insulin resistance early is critical for preventing weight gain, fatigue, hormone disruption, and future metabolic disease.

14. What is your approach to GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Wegovy?

GLP-1 agonists can reduce appetite and slow gastric emptying, but they do not address the underlying drivers of metabolic dysfunction such as insulin resistance, mitochondrial impairment, hormone imbalance, inflammation, nutrient depletion, or nervous system stress. In some cases, they may worsen muscle loss, fatigue, gallbladder issues, or nutrient deficiencies if used without proper metabolic support. When patients are already using or considering these medications, we focus on protecting metabolic health, preserving muscle mass, supporting digestion and nutrient status, and addressing root causes so long-term health is not compromised.

15. Is weight gain a symptom of metabolic dysfunction rather than a calorie problem?

Yes. Weight gain is often a downstream signal of metabolic dysfunction rather than a simple calorie imbalance. Insulin resistance, cortisol dysregulation, thyroid suppression, inflammation, mitochondrial inefficiency, and toxin exposure can all drive fat storage independent of calorie intake.

16. Can poor sleep prevent weight loss?

Absolutely. Inadequate or disrupted sleep alters insulin sensitivity, increases cortisol, suppresses fat-burning hormones, and drives hunger and cravings. Sleep quality is one of the most powerful regulators of metabolic health and weight regulation.

17. Why does weight loss stall after initial progress?

Stalls often occur when deeper drivers such as insulin resistance, thyroid adaptation, nutrient depletion, or nervous system stress have not yet been fully corrected. Early weight changes may reflect water or inflammation shifts, while sustained fat loss requires metabolic repair.

18. Can gut health affect metabolism and weight?

Yes. Gut inflammation, dysbiosis, SIBO, and intestinal permeability can impair insulin signaling, increase inflammation, alter appetite hormones, and disrupt nutrient absorption. Improving gut health is often necessary for long-term metabolic success.

19. Is metabolic damage from dieting reversible?

In many cases, yes. Chronic dieting can suppress thyroid output, reduce resting metabolic rate, increase cortisol, and impair mitochondrial function. With adequate nutrition, hormonal support, nervous system regulation, and metabolic repair, function can often recover.

20. Can inflammation alone cause weight gain or resistance?

Yes. Chronic inflammation interferes with insulin signaling, mitochondrial energy production, and fat metabolism. Inflammatory burden from stress, gut dysfunction, infections, toxins, or autoimmune activity can all contribute to weight resistance.

21. Why do I crave sugar or carbohydrates even when I eat well?

Cravings are often driven by blood sugar instability, cortisol imbalance, nutrient deficiencies, mitochondrial stress, or nervous system dysregulation—not lack of discipline. Addressing these drivers typically reduces cravings naturally.

22. Does muscle loss affect metabolism and weight regulation?

Yes. Muscle tissue is metabolically active and critical for insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal. Muscle loss—whether from stress, under-eating, illness, or certain medications—can significantly slow metabolism and promote fat storage.

23. Can mold or environmental toxins cause weight gain?

Yes. Toxins and mold mycotoxins can impair thyroid signaling, disrupt hormones, increase insulin resistance, damage mitochondria, and promote inflammation. In some patients, detoxification support is essential for metabolic recovery.

24. Is weight loss harder with chronic illness or fatigue?

Yes. Chronic illness often involves mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, immune activation, hormonal suppression, and nervous system stress—all of which reduce metabolic efficiency. Addressing health stability first is often required before weight can shift.

25. How do you prevent weight loss from slowing metabolism further?

We avoid extreme caloric restriction and overtraining. The focus is restoring metabolic flexibility, improving cellular energy production, stabilizing hormones, and supporting muscle preservation so weight loss occurs without triggering further metabolic suppression.

26. Is this approach appropriate if I don’t want weight loss drugs?

Yes. This approach is designed specifically for patients who want to restore metabolic health without relying on appetite suppressants or long-term medications. Many patients see sustainable results once root causes are addressed.

27. Does calorie quality matter more than calorie quantity?

Yes. While total energy intake matters at a basic level, the quality of calories has a far greater impact on metabolism, hormones, insulin signaling, inflammation, and fat storage.

Highly processed, inflammatory foods can drive insulin resistance, cravings, hormonal disruption, and metabolic slowdown—even at lower calorie intakes. In contrast, nutrient-dense, whole foods support stable blood sugar, satiety, mitochondrial function, and efficient fat metabolism, often allowing the body to regulate weight without strict calorie counting.

For most people with metabolic resistance, focusing on food quality, nutrient density, and metabolic health is far more effective—and sustainable—than tracking calories alone.

28. Why does the scale not always reflect fat loss or metabolic improvement?

The scale measures total body weight, not body composition. Lean tissue—such as muscle, connective tissue, and stored glycogen—takes up less space than fat but weighs more per volume.

As metabolism improves, many patients lose fat while simultaneously rebuilding lean tissue, increasing intracellular hydration, and restoring muscle mass. This can result in little change—or even a temporary increase—on the scale despite visible fat loss, improved strength, better energy, and reduced inflammation.

For this reason, scale weight alone is a poor indicator of metabolic health. Changes in body composition, waist measurements, strength, energy levels, and metabolic markers provide a far more accurate picture of progress.

29. Is gaining muscle important for long-term weight regulation?

Yes. Lean tissue is metabolically active and plays a critical role in insulin sensitivity, glucose disposal, and resting metabolic rate. Preserving and rebuilding muscle supports fat loss, prevents metabolic slowdown, and improves long-term weight stability—especially during stress, illness, or hormonal transitions.

30. Does body fat affect hormones?

Yes. Body fat is hormonally active tissue and functions as an endocrine organ. Fat cells produce and store hormones and inflammatory signaling molecules that influence estrogen balance, insulin sensitivity, cortisol activity, inflammation, and metabolic regulation.

Excess body fat can increase estrogen production, worsen insulin resistance, and amplify inflammatory signaling, all of which can contribute to hormonal imbalance, weight resistance, fatigue, and metabolic dysfunction. At the same time, extreme fat loss or metabolic stress can also disrupt hormone signaling.

The goal is not simply reducing body fat, but restoring healthy metabolic function, hormone signaling, and body composition so the endocrine system can rebalance appropriately.

31. Can fat loss improve hormone balance?

In many cases, yes. Reducing excess inflammatory fat while preserving lean tissue can improve estrogen metabolism, insulin sensitivity, cortisol regulation, and overall hormonal balance—especially when weight changes occur through metabolic repair rather than extreme dieting.

32. Can excess body fat contribute to long-term health conditions like PCOS or cancer?

Yes. Excess body fat—particularly visceral and inflammatory fat—can contribute to long-term health risks by altering hormone signaling, insulin sensitivity, immune regulation, and inflammatory pathways.

In conditions such as PCOS, excess adipose tissue can worsen insulin resistance, androgen imbalance, ovulatory dysfunction, and chronic inflammation, making symptoms more persistent and difficult to manage.

Long-term metabolic dysfunction associated with excess inflammatory fat has also been linked to increased risk of certain cancers, particularly those influenced by estrogen, insulin, and chronic inflammation. Fat tissue produces inflammatory cytokines and can increase estrogen production, which may contribute to disease risk over time.

Importantly, risk is influenced by metabolic health, inflammation, hormone balance, lifestyle factors, genetics, and environmental exposures—not body weight alone. Improving metabolic function, reducing inflammation, supporting hormone balance, and restoring healthy body composition can significantly lower long-term risk and improve overall resilience.

33. Is metabolic health more important than weight alone for long-term disease risk?

Yes. Metabolic markers such as insulin sensitivity, inflammation, hormone balance, mitochondrial function, and body composition are often more predictive of long-term health outcomes than weight alone.

34. Can improving metabolic health reduce disease risk even without major weight loss?

Yes. Many patients see meaningful improvements in insulin resistance, inflammation, hormone signaling, and overall risk markers even before significant weight changes occur.