My friend Caroline struggled with her weight and energy levels for some time, even with a healthy diet and exercise routine. She went to the doctor, who discovered she had a slow or low metabolism. The doctor recommended Caroline try to limit sugar and carbohydrates, and get the calories and nutrients she needed from healthy sources. She should eat enough protein and healthy fats in her food.
Having a high metabolism allows you to burn fat and lose weight quickly. It is a complex process that involves the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Metabolism is responsible for energy production and is necessary to fuel the processes that keep us alive, such as breathing, cell repair, and growth. The metabolism is a bunch of organs and glands responsible for regulating how your body burns food for fuel and converts that food into energy: the pancreas, stomach, small and large intestines, and colon. When the metabolism usually functions, the food we eat is broken down into energy for our daily activities. If we eat more than we need, the metabolism converts the excess calories into fat.
Several factors affect a person’s metabolism, such as the amount of muscle tissue, the frequency of meals eaten, genetics, personal diet, and stress and activity levels. When you have a slow metabolism, there is a good chance your body is out of balance or not functioning correctly (and that is almost always due to improper lifestyle, illness, medication, or a severe accident). Metabolism slows down due to muscle loss, the body’s tendency to cannibalize its tissue because there is not enough food energy to maintain it, and the decrease in physical activity naturally comes with aging.
Ways to activate metabolism:
1 Increase body mass. It is natural for metabolism to decrease with age, but it is possible to counteract its effects. The amount of muscle a person has been a determining factor in the ability to burn calories and eliminate fat. Build strength and endurance by training at least twice a week. Weight training will increase metabolism.
2 Breakfast. Many people ignore that breakfast is the day’s most important meal. Breakfast eaters are leaner than non-breakfast eaters. Metabolism can slow down if you eat breakfast mid-morning or wait until the afternoon.
3 Avoid sugar. Sugar stores fat in the body. There is that to eat foods that maintain an even blood sugar level. Exercise 2–3 times a week is essential to stabilize blood sugar.
4 Eat spicy foods. Spicy cooking with peppers increases metabolism.
5 Get more sleep. According to research, people who don’t get enough sleep are more at risk of gaining weight, thus slowing their metabolism.
6 Water, lots of water. Water eliminates the toxins produced when the body burns fat. The body needs water, and the lack of it causes the metabolism to not work correctly.
7 Never skip meals. People tend to skip meals to lose weight, which is a big mistake, as it slows down the metabolism. Include more energy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
8 Forget about stress. Stress, whether physical or emotional, triggers the release of a steroid called cortisol, which slows metabolism. In addition, people overeat when they are stressed.
9 Drink green tea. It is a substitute for coffee. The tea stimulates metabolism and has no undesirable side effects. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study found that green tea extract significantly affects fat oxidation and increased metabolism.
10 Desired body weight. It is only possible if you have the determination and patience to stabilize the metabolism level, which plays a vital role in weight loss. You must realize that eating right and exercising is not a passing fancy, but a way of life.
Foods to accelerate metabolism. Salmon. Fatty fish, such as salmon, are rich in omega-3s and a good source of lean protein. Nuts. They promote weight loss because they are rich in fiber, healthy fats, and protein. Dark chocolate. It is rich in flavonoids, which protect your heart and reduce the risk of diabetes and blood pressure. Garlic. A great source of wellness, especially for women over 40. Carrots. They’re full of beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A, an outstanding nutrient that supports immunity and boosts eye health.
Bottom Line. Metabolism is the process of breaking down complex molecules into simpler compounds that fuel the body. Metabolic processes break down food and convert nutrients into usable energy. This energy fuels the body’s organs, muscles and systems.
ENCYCLOPEDIA. Metabolism.
