At the cellular level, the body is always in an anabolic or catabolic state, or in the process of switching back and forth between the two.  During the day, our cell membranes are intended to open up (much like a flower) so nutrients can get in and out more easily.  This “more open” state is called a catabolic state.  At night, our cell membranes are intended to become more closed (again, like a flower) so nutrients cannot get in and out as easily.  This “more closed” state is called an anabolic state.  Both states are appropriate, and even necessary, for a body to function optimally.  Due to many possible factors, some people can get stuck in one state and their body will not switch back and forth as intended.

To make the body operate correctly, we need to oscillate back and forth from the anabolic state at night, while we sleep and rebuild, and a catabolic state during the day, while we’re active.  Without this natural oscillation, many problems can occur.  Let’s go over each of these imbalances individually and cover how each one can lead to weight gain in its own right.  You cool with that?