The Math of Life: Understanding Your Metabolism
- Dr. Howard A. Friedman MD, founder of HHOM LLC
- Oct 10
- 4 min read
10-05-2025
By Dr. Howard Friedman MD | Veteran | U.S. Army Medical Corps | Internal Medicine | HHOM LLC
The Math of Life: Understanding Your Metabolism
Metabolism hums, a hidden flame,
Turning food to strength, never the same.
It rises with youth, with muscle, with fire,
It slows with the years, with stress, and with tire.
Yet within our grasp, the choices remain,
To stoke the flame, to lessen the strain.
----Dr. Howard Friedman, M.D.
Introduction
Metabolism is life. Without it, there is no life. Every breath, every heartbeat, every thought relies on the chemical processes that convert food into energy, repair tissues, and keep the body’s systems running smoothly. When we mention food, we uncover a crucial clue: we actually have a great deal of influence over our metabolism. It is the key to weight management and determines, more than most people realize, how efficiently the body burns calories and stores fat.
Factors That Shape Metabolism
Age: As we move through life, metabolism shifts. In youth, hormones surge to support growth. With age, those hormones quiet down. Muscle mass declines naturally unless we work to preserve it, and that loss directly slows metabolism.
Sex: Men and women are not the same physiologically. Hormones, muscle mass, and fat distribution differ, all influencing how quickly the body expends energy.
Genetics: No two people burn energy the same way. Our genetic blueprint, shaped by countless life experiences, makes each metabolic rate unique—sometimes faster, sometimes slower.
Body Composition: Muscle is metabolically active; fat is not. More muscle equals more calorie burning—even at rest.
Activity: Movement drives metabolism higher. Exercise builds muscle, burns calories, and keeps the “engine” tuned.
Diet: This is where we hold the most control. A balanced diet rich in whole foods, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats supports metabolism. Ultra-processed foods, sugar-laden drinks, and cheap fats do the opposite—they slow the system down.
Hormones: Insulin, thyroid hormones, cortisol, and others act like conductors of a symphony. When they are balanced, metabolism flows. When they are disrupted, weight and energy follow suit.
Metabolism Math: Veterans filing disability claims may know the frustration of “VA math.” It looks logical on paper, but 1 + 1 rarely equals 2. Metabolism works much the same way.
On the surface, the equation seems simple: burn more calories than you eat, and you’ll lose weight. Yet the body resists. Hormones, stress, sleep, and the type of food consumed all play a part. The math is never clean. It’s not 1 + 1 = 2; it’s more like 1 + 1 = 1.7… and sometimes, for reasons beyond our control, it feels like 1.3. A sluggish metabolism can stall weight loss, just as VA math can stall fair ratings. Both demand patience, persistence, and strategy.
Sidebar: Veteran Takeaways
3 Quick Veteran Takeaways
VA Math & Body Math: Just as VA math doesn’t add up in a straight line, neither does metabolism. Weight change is never a simple subtraction equation.
Service Connection: Years of stress, disrupted sleep, chronic pain, and medications from service can all influence metabolism — making weight control harder but not impossible.
Action Steps: Focus on what you can control: food choices, building muscle, improving sleep, and finding ways to manage stress. Each step shifts the balance in your favor.
When the Scales Tip: Metabolism and Weight Gain
When calorie intake exceeds expenditure, the body stores fat. Over time, fat deposits—especially around the midsection and hips—signal metabolic distress. A slower metabolism not only makes weight gain easier, it makes reversing it harder.
What You Can Control
You may not control genetics or age, but you control more than you think:
Dietary choices – whole foods over processed foods.
Physical activity – building and preserving muscle.
Sleep quality – deep, restorative sleep optimizes metabolism.
Stress management – chronic stress raises cortisol, which slows metabolism.
These levers are in your hands.
Conclusion
Metabolism is not destiny—it is a living process shaped by both biology and choice. While age, genetics, and hormones matter, diet and lifestyle are powerful tools that determine how efficiently your body burns fuel. By understanding the “math of life” and working with your metabolism, you improve your chances of not only managing weight but also preserving health, energy, and resilience for the long road ahead.
The body keeps score in ways unseen,
Through hormones, balance, fuel, and lean.
But each day offers a chance to choose,
To guard our health, not just to lose.
For metabolism is life’s quiet song,
And with mindful living, we stay strong.
---Dr. Howard Friedman M.D.
—Dr. Howard Friedman MD
Board-Certified | Internal Medicine | Veteran | U.S. Army Medical Corps
Founder of Howard’s House of Medicine (HHOM LLC)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Why does metabolism slow down as we age?
A: With age, we naturally lose muscle mass unless we work to maintain it, and muscle is what keeps metabolism running at a higher pace. Hormonal changes and reduced activity also play a role. The good news is, resistance training, good nutrition, and quality sleep can help offset much of that slowdown.
Q: Is metabolism just about calories in and calories out?
A: Not exactly. While calories matter, metabolism is influenced by hormones, stress, sleep, and food quality. For example, 300 calories of vegetables and lean protein affect your metabolism very differently than 300 calories of soda. The equation is more complex than subtraction — it’s a living process.
Q: Can veterans with service-related conditions improve metabolism?
A: Absolutely. Even with chronic pain, disrupted sleep, or medication side effects, small steps make a difference. Choosing whole foods, moving regularly (even gentle exercise), and practicing stress management can help veterans regain some control over their body’s “engine.” It’s about steady progress, not perfection.
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