A method of treating or preventing one's health problem that are associated with one's cells having a poor metabolic capability to process fat includes ingesting a therapeutically effective dosage of an anaplerotic precursor. Examples of such health problems include obesity and the related health conditions that are aggravated by obesity, diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, migraines and headaches, menstrual cramps, cholesterol excesses, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease, anemia, high blood uric acid levels, ketosis, tobacco and other drug addictions, and digestive problems. In a preferred embodiment, this method includes the daily ingestion of L-aspartic acid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable analog thereof, at the rate of 10-14 g/day and restricting from one's diet the intake of starchy foods.