When you consider all of the issues we as a society have with weight, a slow metabolism is often the excuse attributed to our struggles. Often attributed to the characteristics we inherit form our families, metabolism is commonly thought to be an insurmountable barrier to weight loss.
But the truth is that there is much more we can do about our metabolisms than we think. In fact, our metabolism can actually become our friend instead of our enemy.
What Metabolism Is
When you consider that metabolism is actually the name for a group of processes instead of a single thing, it becomes much easier to see just how complex our metabolisms are. Experts have revealed that metabolism actually involves the hormones and enzymes in our bodies, and is defined by how efficiently they convert food into the fuel we need. In other words, the rate at which a body burns calories depends on our metabolism. And since no one burns calories at the same rate, everyone’s metabolism will be different.
What Influences Metabolism
In addition to heredity, our age, sex and amount of lean body mass determines our metabolism. After the age of 40, our metabolism will actually slow by a rate of five percent per decade. If you are a woman, you will burn fewer calories at rest than men do. And if you have a lot of muscle on your body, then it’s likely that you have a higher metabolic rate than those who carry less muscle.
How Foods Affect Metabolism
It may seem grossly unfair to many that protein, and not carbs and sugar, serve to keep calories burning in the body for up to twelve hours. But in contrast, a diet high in sugar and carbs will only boost metabolism for under an hour. So those high-calorie comfort foods we may enjoy can actually be doing us more harm than good if we’re enjoying them too much.
Protein is one ingredient in many foods which is good for metabolism. Protein requires a higher number of calories in order for the body to digest it, which means faster weight loss. And so including it in as many daily meals as possible can greatly benefit the body. Included in the high-protein list are eggs, poultry, peanut butter and fish.
Some studies have been published which point to the benefits of spicy foods to the burning of calories. A boost in metabolic rate was observed by one study when red pepper was added to meals high in carbohydrates and then consumed by male athletes.
Many studies have also been published with regard to the benefits of green tea, specifically its EGCG, or epigallocatechin gallate content. EGCG is an antioxidant and is also believed by many to have calorie-burning properties.
Lifestyle and Metabolism
In addition to the many foods we can eat to boost metabolism, we can also look at our lifestyle choices for solutions. Movement is a number one calorie booster, and so engaging in as many activities as possible that allow for movement can help speed up metabolism. Even making small changes to your daily movements, such as deliberately parking further away from a store can ensure that your body gets the activity it needs to keep your metabolism burning calories at a steady pace.
Getting enough sleep is vital in order to keep all of our body’s processes running smoothly. Fatigue can being on hunger pangs and cravings even shortly after a full meal, which can quickly spiral into overeating. In turn, overeating impairs your body’s ability to metabolize carbohydrates. It’s generally agreed up on by experts that seven to nine hours of sleep each night is a healthy amount for adults to get.
As you can now see, controlling your metabolism may not be an easy task, but it is possible. And a healthy metabolism can mean feeling and looking better for life.
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Guest author Ruth Suelemente writes on a variety of topics, but is particularly passionate about health and wellness. She helps consumers identify and review the best diet plans available for their particular needs and lifestyle. You can also find Ruth on Google.
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