Methods are described for the treatment and prevention of metabolic disorders or other diseases by administering a pyrone analog or a derivative thereof. Methods are also described for the treatment and prevention of metabolic disorders and other diseases by administering a pyrone analog, or a derivative thereof, in combination with one or more additional agents such as, for example, lipid lowering agents or glucose lowering agents. Methods are described for the modulation of lipid transporter activity to increase the efflux of lipid from a physiological compartment into an external environment. Methods disclosed herein may be used to assess treatment or prevention of a metabolic disorder following administration of a pyrone analog or a derivative thereof.