Metabolism plays a big role in our health, it’s not just about helping your digestive system work smoothly, but the way your body breaks down the food and helps nutrients get absorbed into the body that matters. But often due to one reason or the other, your metabolism can slow down, which then causes issues with people. Many people think that the reason they may be gaining weight could be because of their poor metabolism, so how does one go about fixing this issue and how do you even know that the fault lies with your metabolism.

To understand why your metabolism may be slowing down, we must understand what role it exactly plays. Metabolism is the process your body uses to turn food into energy. It's essential for everything from breathing and digestion to keeping you warm. Several things affect how fast your metabolism works, including your genes, health, and lifestyle. A slow metabolism means your body burns fewer calories, which can lead to tiredness, dry skin, weight gain, and cravings.

Why Does Your Metabolism Slow Down?

There can be many reasons why your metabolism may be slowing down. You inherit some of it, and it tends to slow down as you age, often due to changes in your body and less muscle. Men and women have different metabolisms because of body size, makeup, and hormones. What you eat matters too – not enough healthy food or a very low-calorie or high-fat diet can slow it down. A lazy lifestyle, lack of sleep, and stress can also make your metabolism sluggish. Certain health problems like diabetes or an underactive thyroid, and even environmental factors, may also play a role.

Signs You Need To Improve Your Metabolism

While these are some common signs, it is best to visit a healthcare professional and ask for their opinions before you try a solution. There are many underlying reasons as to why you are experiencing slow metabolism, it can also be a side-effect of some medicine. A healthy lifestyle goes a long way, especially for people who already have digestive issues, kidney or even mental health issues like stress and anxiety.

Constant Fatigue

Feeling tired all the time, even without a good reason, could mean your metabolism is slow. A slow metabolism means your body breaks down food into energy slowly, leaving you with low energy levels. You might feel sluggish or get tired easily throughout the day. Changes in what you eat or your body composition (how much fat and muscle you have) can also make you feel more tired.

Dry Skin

Dry skin is common in winter, but if you have it all the time, it could be a sign of a slow metabolism. Thyroid hormones help control your metabolism and also keep your skin hydrated. If your thyroid isn't working right and your metabolism is slow, your skin might get very dry.

Weight Gain

If you're eating healthy and exercising but still gaining weight, a slow metabolism could be the problem. A slow metabolism doesn't turn food into energy quickly, so you burn fewer calories. Extra calories are stored as fat, making it hard to lose weight.

Feeling Cold

Feeling cold even when it's not cold outside can be a sign of a slow metabolism. Your body generates heat through metabolism. If your metabolism is slow, your body temperature might be lower. Some studies show that people with an underactive thyroid or obesity may have lower body temperatures because of a slow metabolism. This can be because of problems with thyroid hormones, which help your body make heat.

Food Cravings

Craving sugary or fatty foods can be a sign of a slow metabolism. Studies show that cravings are related to metabolic health. This is especially true for people who don't eat enough healthy foods, have bad eating habits, or have low muscle mass and high fat mass. Cravings might also mean your body isn't getting enough energy from the food you eat, so it wants more energy.

Mood Swings

Everyone has mood swings sometimes. But if you have them often, it could be from a slow metabolism. Low energy and hormone problems that come with a slow metabolism can make you irritable and frustrated. Some older research also suggests a link between mental health issues and a slow metabolism.

Digestive Problems

Digestion and metabolism are connected. Digestion breaks down food, and metabolism turns it into energy. If your metabolism changes, like slowing down, it can affect your digestion. A slow metabolism can cause constipation, bloating, or diarrhea.

The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that menopause often goes unnoticed as a clinical priority, observing these unmet needs, the state governments in Maharashtra and Kerala will soon launch government-run menopause clinics. These clinics will have specialized support systems designed to offer holistic healthcare services for menopausal women within the public system.

These clinics will also have medical consultations, mental health counselling, targeted screening services and lifestyle guidance.

What Are Menopause Clinics?

Menopause clinics are specialized healthcare units, usually housed in government hospitals, urban health centres or district hospitals, that focus on both the medical and emotional needs of women transitioning through menopause. Rather than brushing menopause aside as a “natural” phase that needs little attention, these clinics offer organized, evidence-based care that goes well beyond routine outpatient visits.

At the heart of a menopause clinic is a comprehensive, integrated approach that includes:

• Clinical assessment of menopausal symptoms
• Screening for hormonal and physical health issues, such as bone health and heart disease risk
• Mental health support and psychosocial counselling
• Personalized advice on lifestyle, nutrition and mid-life wellness
• Ongoing patient education and structured follow-up

By bringing these services together under one roof, menopause clinics help women cope with day-to-day symptoms while also addressing long-term risks like osteoporosis, metabolic changes and a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease.

What Is Menopause?

This is the natural, permanent end of menstruation defined as 12 consecutive months without a period. This typically occurs between ages 45 to 55.

Foods That May Help During Menopause

• Soy: A top source of phytoestrogens, particularly isoflavones, which bind to estrogen receptors in your body. Studies suggest soy may help alleviate hot flashes, improve cholesterol levels, and even reduce the risk of heart disease during menopause.
• Flaxseed: Packed with lignans, a type of phytoestrogen with mild estrogenic effects, flaxseed may also offer some relief.

Including these foods in your diet could help ease symptoms and reduce your risk of certain menopause-related conditions.

Why a Balanced Diet Matters

A nutrient-packed, balanced diet is the foundation of good health at any age. Prioritize:

• Vegetables and fruits: Rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
• Whole grains: Great for maintaining steady blood sugar levels.
• Lean proteins: Support muscle health and repair.
• Low-fat dairy: Provides calcium for bone strength.
• Avoid ultra-processed junk foods, excessive sugar, and unhealthy fats, which contribute little beyond empty calories.

Maharashtra Menopause Clinic

Earlier this January, the Maharashtra government rolled out the country’s first state-run menopause clinics across government hospitals and urban health facilities. The initiative was launched on Makar Sankranti, January 14, under the guidance of Minister of State for Health Meghna Bordikar.

As per official statements, these clinics are designed to offer end-to-end care in one place. Services include expert medical consultations to evaluate and manage menopausal symptoms, mental health support to address emotional and psychological concerns, and screenings for bone health, cardiovascular risk and hormonal balance. Medicines and follow-up advice are also provided during the same visit, cutting down the need for multiple referrals and repeat hospital trips.

A senior health official pointed out that while menopause is a natural life stage and not a disease, many women need consistent physical and emotional support during this transition. The strong response from women across Maharashtra highlights a long-standing gap in healthcare, where menopause-related concerns often went unaddressed due to the absence of dedicated services. With this move, Maharashtra has also set an example for other states looking to introduce gender-specific care within public health systems.

Read: Can Your Diet Affect Menopause?

Kerala follows with dedicated clinics

Taking a cue from Maharashtra, the Kerala government has announced plans to set up specialized menopause clinics in district hospitals. An initial allocation of Rs 3 crore has been earmarked for the project in the 2026 state budget, presented by Finance Minister K N Balagopal.

The proposed clinics in Kerala will follow a similar model, offering medical consultations for menopausal symptoms, mental health counselling, and screenings for heart, bone and hormonal health. Women will also receive medicines along with lifestyle and dietary advice at a single facility.

The initiative acknowledges the wide-ranging impact of menopause, including hormonal changes, sleep disturbances, bone health issues and increased stress, and aims to create a one-stop support system within district hospitals. By bringing menopause care into mainstream public healthcare, Kerala hopes to improve access, reduce stigma and ensure that women receive timely, structured support during this phase of life.

Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2022. His wife, Emma Heming Willis recalled the day when Bruce was diagnosed with the condition and how it made her feel "lost, isolated and afraid." Talkin to PEOPLE, Emma said, Bruce "never connected the dots" that he has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. “I think that's like the blessing and the curse of this, is that he never connected the dots that he had this disease, and I'm really happy about that. I'm really happy that he doesn't know about it,” she shared about Bruce, 70.

Bruce Willis' Diagnosis

"On the day Bruce got his diagnosis, we walked out of the doctor's office with a pamphlet and an empty goodbye. No plan, no guidance, no hope, just shock," she explained in front of a packed auditorium, People reported.

In one instant, the family's future disappeared. The Oscar-winning actor, famous for his quick wit and performances in Die Hard and The Sixth Sense, would be leaving his career behind. Emma found herself thrust into a whole new role of full-time caregiver at the same time.

She continued to explain, "I found myself having to keep my family intact, raise our two small girls, and tend to the man that I love while dealing with an illness I hardly knew anything about."

Emma's emotional candor resonated with hundreds of families who have received similar diagnoses and encouraged her to author a book, The Unexpected Journey, scheduled for publication in September. In Emma's words, "This is the book I hope will assist the next caregiver. It is packed with encouragement, wisdom, and the encouragement necessary to walk this path.

Read: Bruce Willis’ Dementia Diagnosis Left Wife Emma Heming Feeling ‘Lost’ And ‘Isolated’ - What Are The Signs Of Caregivers Burnout?

What Is Frontotemporal Dementia?

Frontotemporal dementia is a less prevalent type of dementia that mainly occurs in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It tends to affect behavior, personality, language, and movement more than memory, particularly in its initial stages.

In contrast to Alzheimer's, which generally strikes older individuals, FTD can hit at an earlier age—sometimes as young as 40. The symptoms can range from changes in personality, emotional flatness, or the inability to show empathy to impulsiveness, so it is especially hard for spouses and children to cope.

Emma's case illustrates how abrupt and disrupting this diagnosis can be—not only for the patient but for caregivers as well.

Whereas Bruce Willis' diagnosis hit global headlines, the mental toll taken by Emma, his caregiver, was largely in the background—until she decided to come forward.

Caregiving is a respectable position, but it's also a challenging and thankless one. For those who are caring for loved ones with dementia or other chronic illnesses, the stress of "keeping it all together" can result in a condition called caregiver burnout.

"Caring for someone is the most intimate and demanding work of love," Emma explained, "but when you're not noticed or supported, it begins to undermine your health—mentally and physically."

Work stress could make you gay, said a Malaysian minister Zulkifli Hasan, as continued government intervention of what is described as 'sexually deviant behavior' has pressured the country's LGBTQ community. This happened two weeks after religious authorities and police acted on complaints from a sultan and Islamist politicians that a camping retreat was promoting the LGBTQ lifestyle, reported South China Morning Post.

Religious Affairs Minister Hasan on Tuesday said that work stress could be among many other factors that is pushing people into sexual orientations other than heterosexuality. “Societal influence, sexual experiences, work stress and other personal factors come under this category [of possible causes],” Zulkifli said in a written parliamentary reply to a question by Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, a lawmaker with the opposition Islamist party PAS.

Also Read: Andy Kershaw Diagnosed With Spinal Cancer That Left Him Unable To Walk

He cited a 2017 study by Sulaiman et.al., that said such elements "can contribute to the increase in LGBT acts".

His comments have attracted a lot of backlash, with many people on social media mocking him. A social media user Muaz Zam said, "By this logic, I am genuinely shocked my entire office isn't gay by now". Another one read: "In other words: they never work hard in the parliament."

However, these claims are not scientifically back. Work related stress can impact a person, but cannot change their sexuality. It can, however, cause health effects. What it does not do is change one's sexuality and this is why one should know the difference about gender, sex and sexual orientation or sexuality.

'Work Stress Makes You Gay': The Difference Between Gender vs Sex

While these both terms are often used interchangeably in official forms, there is a difference between the two.

As per the Council of Europe, gender is an area that cuts across thinking about society, law, politics, and culture.

Read: Trump Administration Deadnames Transgender Former HHS Officer Rachel Levine in Official Portrait

Definition Of Gender vs Sex by WHO

The World Health Organization notes that sex refers to: "the different biological and physiological characteristics of males and females, such as reproductive organs, chromosomes, hormones, etc.”

Whereas, gender refers to: "the socially constructed characteristics of women and men – such as norms, roles and relationships of and between groups of women and men. It varies from society to society and can be changed. The concept of gender includes five important elements: relational, hierarchical, historical, contextual and institutional. While most people are born either male or female, they are taught appropriate norms and behaviours – including how they should interact with others of the same or opposite sex within households, communities and work places. When individuals or groups do not “fit” established gender norms they often face stigma, discriminatory practices or social exclusion – all of which adversely affect health."

Definition Of Gender vs Sex by The European Institute For Gender Equality

“Sex refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define humans as female or male. These sets of biological characteristics are not mutually exclusive, as there are individuals who possess both, but these characteristics tend to differentiate humans as females or males.”

“Gender refers to the social attributes and opportunities associated with being female and male and to the relationships between women and men and girls and boys, as well as to the relations between women and those between men. These attributes, opportunities and relationships are socially constructed and are learned through socialisation processes. They are context- and time-specific, and changeable. Gender determines what is expected, allowed and valued in a woman or a man in a given context. In most societies, there are differences and inequalities between women and men in responsibilities assigned, activities undertaken, access to and control over resources, as well as decision-making opportunities. Gender is part of the broader sociocultural context. Other important criteria for sociocultural analysis include class, race, poverty level, ethnic group and age.”

The main difference is that gender is a social construct, whereas sex is the biologically labelled term based on organs and hormones.

Read More: Trump's Top Health Nominee Wants ‘Corrective Care’ For Trans People

What Is Sexuality?

As per the American Psychological Association (APA), sexuality is the capacity to derive pleasure from various forms of sexual activity and behavior. The Lanarkshire Sexual Health describes sexual orientation as a way to describe the feelings you have for someone you fancy or are attached to.

While sexuality can change overtime, it is not a choice. There is no evidence that sexual orientation can be forced to change through therapy.

Can Stress Impact Sexuality?

While stress can impact sexual function by reducing libido, causing fatigue, and triggering hormonal changes, it does not change one's sexual orientation. Jason Teoh, who writes on LGBTQ issues, project partner at NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, notes: "Sexual orientation is not caused by stress. It is not caused by trauma, influence or difficult life circumstances."

The WHO notes: sexual orientation is a natural, stable part of human identity shaped by biology, genetics, and early development. The WHO removed homosexuality from its disease classification in 1990. The American Psychiatric Association did the same in 1973.