In this article, we will cover the topic of metabolism. In particular, attention will be paid to the metabolism of accelerated, delayed and standard types. We will also learn about ways to slow down or accelerate metabolism, determine the general meaning of the term and touch on concepts closely related to it.
Introduction
Metabolism (metabolism) is a set of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms. It is necessary to constantly maintain life on the planet. A set of all the processes involved in metabolism enables the body to grow, develop and create offspring, as well as preserve the personality structure and exhibit responses to environmental stimuli.
Metabolism will combine the catabolic and anabolic stages. Catabolism is necessary for the degradation of complex organic substances into simple forms with concomitant release of energy. In the course of anabolism, the opposite process occurs: relatively simple substances turn into complex ones, and at the same time energy is consumed.
Metabolism in the body consists of many chemical reactions, which are called metabolic pathways. When the metabolic process is completed, under the influence of enzymes, some significant biological molecules are transformed into others.
Enzymatic functions
Enzymes are essential in metabolic processes because:
- They are active biological catalysts and reduce the energy consumption for activating a chemical reaction.
- They make it possible to regulate any metabolic pathway in response to each change in the cellular environment.
Metabolism determines the set of substances necessary for our life, growth, etc. The basic set of metabolic pathways is common to most living organisms that inhabit the planet, which indicates the common origin of all creatures that inhabit the Earth. An example is the set of certain carboxylic acids that are intermediates in the tricarboxylic acid cycle; they are part of all organisms, from bacteria to multicellular eukaryotic animals.
The concept of catabolism
A feature of metabolism is the structure of its structure of components: anabolism and catabolism.
Catabolism refers to a series of metabolic processes leading to the breakdown of relatively large organic molecules of substances such as sugars, fats, amino acids. With catabolism, the formation of simpler organic molecules is observed, which in the future will be used up for anabolic reactions (biosynthesis). This metabolic stage allows the formation of ATP compounds accessible for use, reduced coenzymes and molecules with a transmembrane electrochem. potential.
Catabolism is not an essential element of metabolism, as it may be absent in many organisms. All metabolic reactions are based on the oxidation and reduction type reactions, during which the transfer of electrons occurs between donor molecules (for example, water or ammonia) and acceptors (for example, O 2 , nitrate and sulfate compounds).
In animals, they break down to carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthetic plants and cyanobacteria, the electron transfer phenomenon is used to store energy resources acquired during the absorption of sunlight.
In animals, catabolic reactions form three main stages: 1 - the breakdown of large organic molecules (proteins, lipids, polysaccharides, etc.) to extracellular components, 2 - the penetration of the molecule into the thickness of the cell and its transformation into a smaller compound (for example, acetyl -CoA), 3 - the group of acetyl A-coenzymes is oxidized to form H 2 O and CO 2 molecules (a consequence of the Krebs cycle and the respiratory chain).
Concept of anabolism
Metabolic functions are determined not only by catabolism, but also by anabolism.
Anabolism is called the community of processes during which the biosynthesis of complex molecules occurs. Also, there is an expenditure of energy resources of the body. Anabolism consists of 3 consecutive stages, which are catalyzed by specialized enzymes.
As a result of the first stage, precursor molecules are synthesized, for example, amino acids, nucleotides, terpenoids and simple carbohydrates. Upon completion of the 2nd stage, these molecules take an activated form due to the action of ATP energy. Thanks to the 3rd stage, monomers are combined into substances such as lipids, nucleic acids, proteins and polysaccharide compounds.
Different kingdoms of living beings have differences in the ability to synthesize biologically active molecules. For example, autotrophs are able to create complex organic molecules from the simplest low molecular weight compounds of an inorganic nature. Heterotrophs such a process is not available, and therefore they need the presence of at least monosaccharides or amino acids. Only from them can our bodies create more complex molecular compounds.
Methods of metabolic regulation
Metabolism in the body determines the constancy of homeostasis. There are many ways in which our body controls and regulates metabolism. However, all of them are laid down in us by genetic means, and therefore are not controlled by our consciousness without the use of additional funds. Enzymes, for example, are responsible for increasing or decreasing metabolic activity by transmitting specific signals and determining the conditions necessary for a quick reaction. A person is able to independently influence the metabolic processes to some extent and slow down / speed them up if desired. There are many ways to do this, including medications or proper diets.
One of the metabolic control levels is represented by the activity of hormones, which are classified as an external type of regulation. Growth factor and / or hormones transmit specific signals that are perceived by receptors located on the cell surface. Further, the signal is transmitted inside the cell structure through a system of secondary messengers, most often associated with the phenomenon of protein phosphorylation.
An example is the effect of insulin released during an increase in the glucose content in the blood column. The hormone forms a bond with its receptors and activates protein kinase, which ensures the absorption of a simple carbohydrate by the cell with its subsequent transformation into fatty acid and glycogen.
About Accelerated Metabolism
Accelerated metabolism - good or bad?
In general, there is no particular harm from this phenomenon, however, it can depend on and be determined by the subjective goals of the individual. For example, for weight gain, a quick metabolism will serve as an obstacle, but for an overweight person it will become one of the ways to eliminate body fat and prevent new ones from accumulating. In any case, the characteristics of metabolism are laid genetically within each organism, and therefore it is impossible to change it directly. This is the main process that ensures our livelihoods and growth. It occurs inside every living creature, even at the time of sleep.
Sometimes, an accelerated metabolism becomes a problem of excessive weight loss in an adult or children's body. It through our bodies receive energy resources. The complexity of weight gain is determined by many factors, for example, your gender, age, height and structure of the body, its volume, as well as your lifestyle and habits. In sports, fast-flowing metabolism often becomes a problem, because of which it is difficult for a person to gain extra weight.
Useful tips, part 1
There are drugs that accelerate metabolism, diets, exercise, foods, etc.
To slow down the metabolism, it is necessary to stop consuming caffeine, as it is a stimulant that can increase the metabolic rate by 4-5%. Low-fat or non-fat milk products will allow the body to reduce the amount of fat that is absorbed from other foods.
How to slow down the accelerated metabolism is still possible?
Here it will be important to mention also one of the worst enemies of man - alcohol. Such a bad habit as drinking alcohol can have a beneficial effect on slowing down the metabolism and allow a person to gain weight. However, remember that alcohol is one of the greatest killers of our time, who claimed the lives of as many people as the plague and the war could not take.
Refined carbohydrates with a small amount of fiber (for example, sugar or white flour) can accelerate the metabolism by 15-30%. Proteins, in turn, are absorbed quite difficult by the body, and therefore, to accelerate the processes of metabolism, a slowdown can be observed with excessive use of proteins.
Useful tips, part 2
If you have a question how to gain weight with an accelerated metabolism, then it will be important to know that for a few kilograms it is recommended to replace frequent meals with 3 or 4 meals a day. The fact is that in order to split each new portion of food, it is necessary to spend a lot of additional energy on reactions, which are very energy-intensive in the initial stages of oxidation. Meals should be few, but they must be very dense, which will also positively affect the slowdown of metabolism and will make it possible to gain a couple of extra pounds.
Physical activity on the body at a pace with low intensity, for short periods of time, is another way to gain extra weight. For example, in the classroom, if the subject is an ectomorph (somatotype with a fast metabolism), he is advised to do an extremely concise workout with a minimal amount of exercises and repetitions.
For example, if we are talking about the gym, on the day of the load on certain muscle groups (chest, shoulders, triceps), it will be enough to perform a high-quality warm-up, bench press with 5-6 working approaches and a weight that allows you to perform up to 5-6 repetitions, and also add bench press and French bench press with a similar value of repetitions. Accelerated metabolism complicates the process of weight gain. However, with the right approach to the regime, diet, etc., it can become a useful quality of the physiology of the body.
“Catalyst” of metabolism
Among the products that accelerate the metabolism are:
- Fruits with a low glycemic index. For example, peach, guava, orange, watermelon, etc.
- Green leaf tea contains the substance EGCG, a nervous system stimulant that boosts metabolic activity.
- You can speed up the metabolism with melon, spinach (includes B vitamins) and lemon (antioxidant and digestive system catalyst).
- Another product that speeds up metabolism is oatmeal - the best breakfast for everyone. It is rich in fiber and lowers the concentration of cholesterol in the blood.
- Low fat (lean) meat speeds up metabolism.
- Beans include substances that help burn fat, and at the same time it has a lot of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
There are many other products that can have an accelerating effect on your metabolism, including ginger, asparagus, cucumbers, water, colored vegetables, spices, etc. The symptom of an accelerated metabolism is, first of all, the difficulty in gaining weight.
About drugs
There are other, more serious, methods of interfering with the natural course of metabolism. For example, the pharmaceutical industry provides us with drugs that speed up metabolism. They can help overweight people lose a considerable amount of kilograms. However, it is important to remember that it is recommended to take such drugs under the supervision of a nutritionist, doctor or with an extremely careful and accurate attitude to their use.
Drugs like Reduxin and Goldline have an effect on the center of the brain responsible for satiety. They help speed up a number of metabolic processes, burn fat and lengthen the time the saturation hormone is present.
"Orsoten" and "Xenical" have a blocking effect on the digestive enzyme - lipase, which is responsible for the process of fat absorption. Bioactive supplements, such as MCC or Turboslim, which have a diuretic effect, thin the blood and cleanse the intestines with the liver, are also good drugs.
Accelerated metabolism and a whole improvement in metabolic reactions can be achieved by using many hormonal substances. Here it will be important to mention the tablets “L-thyroxine” (enhancing the activity of the thyroid gland), “Danabole” and “Anivar” (drugs with a large number of male hormones). Any drug associated with the activity of hormones should be taken with extreme caution, as improper use can lead to serious health problems, up to irreparable consequences.
"Lecithin" is one of the most popular and safe substances that have a beneficial effect on metabolism.