#bodyfatcontent

[curryhealthcenter]

YOU AND YOUR METABOLISM

Health Nut Contributor: Marissa Davis

Stemming from the Greek word “change”, your metabolism converts the food and drink you consume into energy.  Metabolism, if working efficiently, keeps you physically and mentally plowing through your busy college schedule.  Most people view the metabolic process as the dictator of one’s ability to lose or gain weight.  Yes, the metabolic process does have power over weight changes.  However, there is much more to the metabolism than what meets the eye.  According to research conducted by the “Better Health Channel”, the metabolism is broken down into two processes, Catabolism and Anabolism.  Catabolism is the process by which foods (carbs, proteins, and fats) are broken down into physical and mental energy.  Anabolism is the process by which excess consumed calories are stored as fat as a source of reserved energy.

The individual speed of a person’s metabolism (”Basal Metabolic Rate, BMR”) is influenced by many factors, including:

+ Body size

+ Body fat content - higher fat content, slower metabolism

+ Lean muscle content - higher lean muscle content, faster metabolism

+ Crash diets - starving or fasting slows the metabolism

+ Temperature - colder the temperature, faster the metabolism

+ Gender - men, on average, have faster metabolisms than women

+ Physical activity - the more physically active you are throughout the day, the faster your metabolism

So how can you increase your BMR? One of the most effective ways is to eat breakfast.  When you are asleep, your metabolism slows.  By eating breakfast shortly after you wake up, you activate your metabolism and rev it up for the day.  Another effective way to increase your BMR is strength training.  Participating in a strength training program (weight and body resistant exercises) decreases fat and increases lean muscle.  The higher content of lean muscle, the more energy your metabolism must produce to fuel and nourish these muscle.

These tactics are just two of the many ways to obtain a fit, fast metabolism.  As stated above, there are many factors that determine the speed of one’s BMR.  That being said, just by participating in small, healthy routines throughout the day, such as taking a 30 minute walk, can jump start your metabolism, giving you the energy you  need to finish that paper and make it to the gym!

Metabolism. “Better Health Channel.” Better Health Channel, 2016. Web. 7 Mar. 2017.

A big thank you to Marissa, this week’s Health Nut contributor.