That thing called Metabolism, Part 1

Metabolism is basically your body’s systems using and/or converting energy, which includes the basic activities you take for granted like breathing, digestion, circulation of blood, even while building muscles and storing fats.  Anything that is part of your body’s system that converts energy into activity is metabolism. 

There are two distinct types of processes:

1)   The anabolic reaction, which is the building of cellular structures and the storing of energy.

2)   The catabolic reaction that involves breaking down molecules for energy.

An individual’s metabolic rate is strongly influenced by his or her body composition.  Generally, if you have more muscles and less fat, you will have a faster metabolic rate, than those with more fat and less muscles.  (Learn more about HCG in my next write up to help supplement your weight loss program by burning fat and encouraging the building of lean muscles).

There have been multiple fad diets that insist eating a particular food more and cutting some essentials from the body helps reduce weight significantly and quickly.  But, what you really want to know is what type of food boosts your metabolic rate? Is it a high-carbohydrate or a high-protein diet?  Studies have shown that when the body requires more energy it process a high-protein diet; hence your metabolic rate increases as your body digests high-protein foods.

So, yes…please consume a high-protein diet, which however, does not translate into carnivorous consumption only.  Please don’t forget your fibre, minerals and carbohydrate.  Remember that too much of anything is never good for you.  The same goes to denying your body of necessary nutrition to function and live.  Eat wisely, folks!

Fact: Eating fewer that 1,200 calories per day can proof self-defeating.  Studies have shown that eating less than 1,200 daily are more likely to suffer from the slowing of the metabolic rate.  Hence, making it difficult to burn calories and lose weight.

Fact:  Going too long between meals and slow metabolic rate, so skipping meals are never a good idea.  Experts recommend eating in small healthy meals or snack every 2 – 3 hours.  And here’s the special shout out!!! Eating actually boost calorie burn as the body works to digest foods…so, please eat!  Just don’t over do it.

What about the old age idea that men have a higher metabolic rate than men?  Ah well, sorry ladies but this fact is unfortunately true.  Nothing sexist about it, but men and women were simply designed in different models for different purposes.  Men do tend to have a higher metabolic rate than women because women have higher levels of fat tissues.

...to be continued.