You might have heard people blaming their slow metabolism for their overweight. But, is there any connection between the rate of metabolism and weight loss? Is metabolism a real culprit behind higher weight in people? If so, are there any ways to boost up the rate of metabolism to bring down the weight or for burning more calories? Let us find here:
Metabolism and weight are linked: It is true that there is a true connection between the rate of metabolism and weight in people. But, as against the common belief, a slow metabolism can rarely contribute towards weight gain in people. Even though, it is true that your metabolism will influence the fundamental energy requirements of your body, it is ultimately your physical activity and the foods and beverages you take that determine your weight.
Metabolism can convert the foods into energy: In the human body, metabolism is the process that converts the foods that they consume into energy. During this biochemical process taking place in your body, the calories present in the foods and drinks you consume are brought together with oxygen for releasing the energy that is needed for the effective functioning of your body. Even, when you are not engaged in any activity, the body needs energy for performing all the hidden functions like adjustment of hormone levels, circulating blood, breathing for repairing and producing new cells.
Basal metabolic rate: This rate denotes the number of calories that are used by your body for carrying out the fundamental functions. Different factors play a major role towards determining your basal metabolic rate and these factors include:
Your weight and composition: People with larger body or more muscles will experience more calories burning even when they are at rest.
Your sex: Men are known to have lesser body fat and more muscle as against women falling under the same age group. So, if you are a man you can burn more calories.
Your age: When you get older, the level of muscles tend to decrease and fat will form more of your weight and this will bring down the process of calorie burning, thereby leading to weight gain.
Your basal metabolic rate generally decides the number of calories you burn per day. Not only this rate, but two other factors also decide the number of calories your body can burn each day and they are:
Food processing: This process, which is otherwise called as thermogenesis, encompasses storing, transportation, absorption and digestion of foods that you consume. Generally, these processes account to nearly 100-800 calories used per day and the energy level needed by your body for food processing almost remains constant and does not change that much easily.
Physical activity: Physical activities and exercises also decide the calories you burn per day. However, this is a variable factor and will depend on the activities you do in a given day like walking, playing, jogging, etc.
There are foods that can boost your metabolism and when you consume those foods, this rate will automatically increase to keep your body weight under control.