Metabolomics
See what is happening
inside the biochemistry.
Metabolomics provides a functional view of the pathways involved in energy, nutrition, cellular health, muscle metabolism and more.
Rather than looking at isolated markers alone, metabolomics helps providers see relationships across multiple biochemical systems.
Why Metabolites Matter
Amino acid metabolites
Protein utilization and neurotransmitter pathways.
Organic acids
Mitochondrial energy production and intermediary metabolism.
Methylation metabolites
One-carbon metabolism and B-vitamin-dependent pathways.
Oxidative stress metabolites
Oxidative damage and antioxidant activity.
Muscle metabolites
Muscle metabolism and protein turnover.
What Is Metabolomics?
Measuring the products
of metabolism.
Every second, the body carries out an enormous number of biochemical reactions. Proteins are broken down into amino acids. Nutrients are converted into cellular energy. Antioxidant systems respond to oxidative stress. B vitamins participate in methylation. Muscle tissue is continuously synthesized and broken down.
These processes produce measurable compounds called metabolites. Metabolomics is the study and measurement of these compounds to better understand the body’s current biochemical activity.
Think of metabolites as biochemical fingerprints.
They provide information about what is happening downstream of genetics, nutrition, lifestyle, environment, medications, hormones and other influences.
From what the body has to what it is doing
A conventional measurement shows how much of a substance is present. Metabolomics adds a layer by examining the compounds generated as biochemical processes occur. The goal is not simply to measure more biomarkers. It is to understand the pathways connecting them.
A Systems View of Metabolic Health
Seven core areas of
metabolic assessment.
01
Gut Assessment
Metabolites associated with gastrointestinal health, microbial activity and metabolic byproducts, and the relationship between the gut and whole-body metabolism.
02
Essential Amino Acids
Amino acids involved in protein synthesis, tissue maintenance, energy metabolism and neurotransmitter production. Availability depends on intake, digestion, absorption and utilization.
03
Non-Essential Amino Acids
Amino acids involved in metabolic balance, neurotransmitter pathways, detoxification, energy production and cellular function. Their patterns still carry valuable information.
04
Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Metabolites associated with oxidative damage, antioxidant capacity, inflammation and cellular stress, when reactive compounds outpace the body’s ability to manage them.
05
B-Vitamin and Methylation Cofactors
Metabolites involved in methylation and B-vitamin-dependent pathways that influence neurotransmitter metabolism, detoxification, cellular regulation and DNA-related processes.
06
Cellular Energy Production
Metabolites associated with mitochondrial function and the pathways that convert carbohydrates, fats and other substrates into cellular energy.
07
Muscle Assessment
Metabolites associated with muscle metabolism, protein turnover, recovery and performance. Useful for muscle health, healthy aging and patients undergoing interventions that may affect lean body mass.
Dedicated MPP muscle markers
1-Methyl-Histidine
3-Methyl-Histidine
3-Aminoisobutyric Acid
Beta-Alanine
Citrulline
Hydroxyproline
Proline
Metabolomics and Cellular Energy
Following the pathway
to ATP.
Energy is not simply something a patient has or lacks. At the cellular level, nutrients move through a series of pathways before their energy becomes usable. Metabolomics can evaluate compounds involved in each step.
01
Glycolysis
Glucose is broken down for initial energy.
02
Pyruvate Metabolism
The bridge into mitochondrial pathways.
03
Citric Acid Cycle
Intermediates generate energy carriers.
04
Mitochondrial Energy
Usable cellular energy (ATP) is produced.
Patterns across these metabolites may provide additional information about how energy-production pathways are functioning.
Metabolomics and Methylation
Understanding one-carbon metabolism
Methylation is part of a larger network called one-carbon metabolism, which depends on nutrients and cofactors including several B vitamins.
Rather than characterizing methylation from a single marker, metabolomics evaluates multiple related metabolites, adding context around methylation activity, cofactors, transsulfuration and neurotransmitter metabolism.
Metabolomics and Muscle Health
Muscle is metabolically active tissue
Muscle participates in glucose utilization, amino acid metabolism, energy expenditure, physical function and healthy aging, and is continuously rebuilt through protein synthesis and breakdown.
Viewing muscle-related metabolites alongside amino acids and cellular-energy markers gives a broader picture of muscle metabolism, recovery and performance. Relevant areas include:
Healthy Aging and Longevity
Physical Performance
Recovery
Weight Management
GLP-1 Support
Personalized Nutrition
Metabolic Health
From Data to Clinical Insight
Metabolites are more useful
when viewed as pathways.
A metabolomics report can contain dozens of measurements. Physicians Lab organizes metabolic biomarkers into clinically meaningful assessments and pathways so providers can identify patterns across interconnected systems.
01
Measure
Evaluate metabolites associated with key biochemical functions.
02
Connect
Organize them into related pathways and physiological systems.
03
Understand
Identify patterns that may warrant further clinical consideration.
04
Personalize
Weigh findings with the patient’s history and other clinical information.
Physicians Lab Metabolomics Testing
Metabolic Performance Panel (MPP)
The MPP evaluates 50+ key metabolites across 7 core assessments, including a dedicated Muscle Assessment, for a comprehensive view of metabolic function.
Gut Health
Amino Acids
Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Methylation and B-Vitamin Cofactors
Cellular Energy Production
Muscle Health
Hormones and Metabolism Together
Total360
Hormones and metabolism are deeply interconnected. Total360 combines Hormone360 with the MPP so providers can evaluate hormone production and metabolism alongside amino acids, cellular energy, methylation, oxidative stress, nutritional needs and muscle metabolism.
A Deeper View of Metabolic Function
More than biomarkers.
A view into biochemistry.
Instead of looking only at individual values, metabolomics lets providers examine patterns across the pathways that govern how the body uses nutrients, produces energy, maintains muscle, responds to oxidative stress and supports cellular function.