Health & Longevity
Balance family · Health & Longevity

MetBalance® Test

An integrated picture of metabolic health,
in the context of age and sex.

A metabolic test based on nuclear magnetic resonance that combines multiple signals through analysis models into five metabolic dimensions.

For wellbeing clinics, nutritionists, preventive medicine and corporate health programmes.

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The MetBalance® report

More than isolated figures,
an integrated view of metabolism

From a single blood sample, MetBalance uses nuclear magnetic resonance to obtain a broad profile of lipoproteins, glycoproteins and low-molecular-weight metabolites. It brings this information together into five metabolic dimensions and places it in the context of each person’s age and sex, giving a combined picture of their metabolic status beyond each individual result.

Illustrative examplePartial view of a MetBalance® report with illustrative data.

Report summary

The report brings together overall metabolic health, estimated metabolic age and the results of the five dimensions analysed. Within each dimension, the signals are grouped by function and shown against their reference target.

Metabolic health

The overall profile is above 42% of people of the same age and sex.

Estimated metabolic age
68years

4 years above the chronological age of 64.

Five dimensions of metabolism

Each dimension brings together signals that describe the same area of metabolism. Select one to see its interpretation and the results organised by function.

Cardiovascular health

Brings together the lipid profile, atherogenic risk, the proportion of small particles and HDL efficiency to give a combined view of cholesterol transport and removal.

Lipid profile

Total cholesterol214 mg/dL (*)
Target < 200 mg/dL
Total triglycerides146 mg/dL
Target < 150 mg/dL

Atherogenic risk

Remnant cholesterol28 mg/dL
Target < 30 mg/dL
LDL cholesterol132 mg/dL (*)
Target < 100 mg/dL
Triglycerides / HDL cholesterol2.1 (*)
Target < 2

Lipoprotein oxidation

Small VLDL88 %
Target < 90 %
Small LDL63 % (*)
Target < 60 %

HDL efficiency in cholesterol removal

HDL cholesterol46 mg/dL
Target 40–80 mg/dL
HDL efficiency index0.28 (*)
Target < 0.25

Inflammation

Glyc-A and Glyc-B capture glycoprotein signals associated with low-grade inflammatory processes.

Metabolic inflammation

Glyc-A672 µM (*)
Target < 650 µM
Glyc-B318 µM
Target < 340 µM

Energy metabolism

Brings together glucose, lactate, ketone bodies and amino acids related to how the body produces and uses energy.

Glucose metabolism

Glucose104 mg/dL (*)
Target 67–100 mg/dL
Lactate510 µM
Target < 550 µM

Ketosis

3-hydroxybutyrate18 µM
Target 10–115 µM
Acetone64 µM (*)
Target 13–60 µM

Amino acids

Tyrosine61 µM (*)
Target 30–58 µM
Alanine300 µM
Target < 410 µM

Muscle mass

Groups amino acids related to protein synthesis and breakdown, muscle energy metabolism and adaptation to exercise.

Amino acids

Glutamine268 µM (*)
Target 275–415 µM
Glutamate98 µM
Target 55–125 µM
Creatine51 µM
Target 32–78 µM

Branched-chain amino acids

Valine121 µM (*)
Target 125–205 µM
Leucine130 µM (*)
Target 72–127 µM
Isoleucine48 µM
Target 20–51 µM

Renal function

Creatinine provides a signal related to the kidneys’ filtering capacity. Its interpretation also needs to take muscle mass, hydration, diet and exercise into account.

Renal filtration

Creatinine62 µM (*)
Target 28–59 µM

The score for each dimension combines how close its signals are to the applicable reference — including clinical ranges where they exist — and their context by age and sex. It does not express a diagnostic probability.

(*) Result outside the target shown in this example. Synthetic data; the position of each result is illustrative and requires professional interpretation.
Why context matters

A value makes sense in its context

Each analytical value expresses the concentration of a metabolite in blood. MetBalance adds a second layer of information: it shows where that result sits compared with people of the same age and sex. This context does not change the analytical value or replace clinical criteria; it allows each signal to be interpreted more precisely within the overall metabolic profile. Below, two synthetic cases are compared: two men, aged 32 and 60, with the same alanine value — 300 µM. Although the analytical result is identical, its position within each reference distribution is different.

Case A
Sex
Male
Chronological age
32 years

Above the centre of the distribution. The result sits relatively higher within the comparable group. In this case, it may prompt a review of glucose metabolism together with the rest of the energy dimension.

Case B
Sex
Male
Chronological age
60 years

Below the centre of the distribution. The same result sits relatively lower when only age changes. At this age, it may prompt an assessment of muscle mass, protein intake and strength training.

Conceptual representation with synthetic data. The curves illustrate the principle of contextualisation and do not reproduce the reference population, the percentiles or the calculation model. A metabolite’s position is not interpreted in isolation: MetBalance combines it with the other signals in the dimension and with the professional assessment.

Monitoring interventions

Turning a measurement into observable progress

MetBalance allows measurements taken under equivalent conditions to be compared, to observe how the metabolic profile changes during a nutrition, exercise or lifestyle programme. The combined view helps the professional explain progress and identify which dimensions still need attention.

Measurement · Week 0

Starting point

Estimated metabolic age is 7 years above chronological age. Muscle mass and energy metabolism are the lowest dimensions and set the priorities for the programme.

Next stepPersonalised nutrition. A nutrition plan tailored to these priorities and a new measurement at 12 weeks.

Metabolic health

The profile is above 28% of people of the same age and sex.

Estimated metabolic age
59years

7 years above the chronological age of 52.

44/100

Cardiovascular health

41/100

Inflammation

38/100

Energy metabolism

36/100

Muscle mass

62/100

Renal function

Conceptual example with synthetic data. The changes illustrate how longitudinal follow-up can be shown; they do not predict the response to an intervention or represent expected effects. The comparison requires measurements taken under equivalent conditions and professional interpretation.

Professional applications

Where MetBalance® can add value

Professional profiles

Five settings where metabolic information adds value.

Nutrition and dietetics · Nutritional intervention
Relating the metabolic profile to eating habits and nutritional goals.
MetBalance organises diverse metabolic signals into a common view that the professional can combine with the dietary assessment, habits and goals of each person.
  • Guide the initial conversation
  • Recognise which dimensions need more attention
  • Set a reference point for follow-up
Wellbeing clinics · Comprehensive experience
Adding understandable metabolic information to an overall assessment.
Metabolic health, estimated metabolic age and the five dimensions enrich the centre’s experience with structured information.
  • Broaden the initial assessment
  • Make it easier to explain the result
  • Connect different areas of the programme
Preventive medicine · Metabolic context
Adding a layer of information to prevention-focused programmes.
MetBalance places multiple signals in the context of age and sex to complement the professional assessment and help prioritise what is worth exploring.
  • Compare the profile with a matched group
  • Bring together signals beyond a single blood test
  • Define a documented starting point
Longevity programmes · Progress over time
Observing how the profile changes across comparable measurements.
When measurements are taken under equivalent conditions, MetBalance makes it possible to compare the metabolic profile throughout the programme and communicate progress in a structured way.
  • Define a baseline measurement
  • Compare different points in the programme
  • Explain progress to the person
Corporate health · Population programmes
Enriching wellbeing initiatives with individual information.
MetBalance can be included in corporate programmes that combine measurement, professional advice and follow-up, with an individual report for each participant.
  • Create a starting point within the programme
  • Encourage more personalised health conversations
  • Assess progress across comparable measurements

How it fits into the programme

Comparable measurements throughout the programme.

  1. 01 Baseline measurement

    A first measurement compares the metabolic profile with people of the same age and sex.

  2. 02 Programme

    The professional defines the nutrition, exercise or lifestyle plan based on the five dimensions.

  3. 03 New measurement

    A measurement under equivalent conditions allows progress to be compared in a structured way.

  4. 04 Progress

    Longitudinal comparison helps explain progress and identify which dimensions still need attention.

Scientific evidence

Built on research into metabolic health and longevity.

Longevity · Cell Rep Med · 2025

The multiomics blueprint of the individual with the most extreme lifespan

Multi-omics characterisation, including NMR metabolic profiling, of the person with the longest documented lifespan.

View publication
Frequently asked questions

Before adding MetBalance®

01

What does MetBalance analyse?

It simultaneously analyses lipoproteins, glycoproteins and low-molecular-weight metabolites in blood using nuclear magnetic resonance.

02

How is the result built?

Analysis models combine the signals into five metabolic dimensions and compare the profile with people of the same age and sex. This gives the overall position and the estimated metabolic age.

03

Who is it for?

For wellbeing clinics, nutrition and preventive medicine professionals, and corporate health programmes that want to add metabolic information referenced to age and sex.

04

Can it be repeated for follow-up?

Yes. Measurements taken under comparable conditions make it possible to observe how the metabolic profile changes over time.

05

Does it replace a medical assessment?

No. MetBalance provides complementary information on the metabolic profile and should be interpreted together with the professional’s judgement.

MetBalance® in your programme

See how it fits into your programme

Tell us about your centre, the type of programme and how you want to use the information. We will propose the right workflow.

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