PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS: METABOLIC ADAPTATION, HORMONAL SHIFTS, AND THE REPAIR PROCESS
Metabolic adaptation is not a sign of a "stubborn" or broken metabolism. Rather, it is a clear physiological demonstration of the body's efficiency in response to perceived energy scarcity. When the body encounters cumulative physiological stressors, it adapts by conserving energy through coordinated changes in metabolism, hormone signaling, and cellular efficiency—an evolutionarily protective response rather than a failure of effort or adherence.
This adaptive response helps explain why metabolism becomes increasingly energy-conserving across a range of physiological scenarios. These may include sustained low energy availability, repeated weight suppression, rapid changes in body mass, long-term unintentional underfueling, cumulative training demands, hormonal transitions, nutrient depletion, and medication-assisted weight loss. In this session, we clarify what metabolic adaptation is and review the underlying physiological mechanisms involved, with a focus on how key metabolic systems respond under sustained pressure.
Topics include adaptive thermogenesis; changes in resting and total energy expenditure; appetite and satiety signaling; thyroid and HPA axis regulation; and shifts in mitochondrial efficiency, non-exercise activity, and recovery capacity. Participants will gain a clear, physiology-based understanding of metabolic adaptation that supports accurate interpretation, thoughtful clinical decision-making, and appropriate timing of nutrition interventions as metabolic demands and capacity change.
Upon successful completion of this one-hour course, the participant should be able to:
- Define metabolic adaptation as a predictable physiological response to sustained low energy availability and cumulative physiological stress.
- Identify physiological scenarios in which metabolic adaptation may occur, including prolonged underfueling, cumulative training demands, hormonal transitions, nutrient depletion, rapid weight change, and medication-assisted weight loss.
- Describe key mechanisms involved in metabolic adaptation, including adaptive thermogenesis, changes in resting energy expenditure, appetite regulation, thyroid signaling, HPA axis activity, mitochondrial efficiency, and non-exercise activity.
- Differentiate adaptive metabolic down regulation from primary endocrine or metabolic pathology within the nutrition care process.
- Apply a physiology-informed nutrition perspective to support metabolic stability, repair, and resilience as metabolic demands evolve.
Live Event Date:
Feb 05, 2026
Performance Indicators/Learning Objectives: 5.1.2, 10.6.2, 11.2.9, 11.3.4
Target Audience: RDs, DTRs, Health Professionals
Total Cost:
1 Site Credit
About the Presenter: Kimberly Evans, MS, RD, LDN
Kimberly Evans, MS, RD, LDN, is a Registered Dietitian with 30+ years of experience in clinical practice, higher education, and functional wellness. She holds a master’s in Health Care Administration and a Higher Education Teaching Certificate from Harvard. Kimberly specializes in women’s health, thyroid and metabolic conditions, autoimmune fatigue, and midlife transitions—using a systems-based lens to help dietitians elevate care through real-world, client-centered strategies.
As founder of the Nourish Radiance Method, she offers CEU courses and mentoring that translate lab data and physiology into meaningful, compassionate care. Her teaching bridges evidence-based practice with integrative insight—empowering RDs to lead with clarity, confidence, and impact.
