What is metabolism? The term in Greek means “change” or “transformation”. It is applied to various processes in the body that are associated with the conversion of food into energy and other substances, including by-products of metabolism. This is a necessary function that allows the human body to use food and other resources to maintain working condition, treat injuries and get rid of toxins. In other words, metabolism or metabolism is a necessary process without which a person cannot live.
It provides absorption and assimilation of nutrients by the body. For the normal course of metabolism, thoughtful nutrition, drinking regimen and physical activity are necessary. Each of these elements is an aspect of optimal health, but most people do not think about what metabolism is and how it affects their well-being. And in vain: if there is a violation of the diet or physical activity, the metabolic rate may decrease. Therefore, a person’s weight is directly related to metabolism. Therefore, it is not very good to skip meals or rashly reduce the number of calories below the required minimum, as this can lead to the fact that your body will store excess fat in reserve.
Metabolism is also a process that the body uses to break down toxic chemicals, such as drugs.
It is divided into two categories: catabolism, which breaks down complex organic substances into simpler ones, and anabolism, which uses energy to build new compounds - such as proteins and nucleic acids, sugars and lipids.
The metabolic rate determines how quickly food is converted into energy. In humans, metabolism proceeds at different speeds due to various factors - such as gender, age, weight and others. This must be considered when planning weight loss. However, it is possible to improve metabolism using various methods.
So how to improve metabolism? Is this real? First of all, you need to clearly understand what metabolism is, what role it plays in weight management.
1. Eat certain foods. For example, eating proteins - such as lean meat and fish, we get an increased metabolism, because the human body needs more energy to process them. Low-fat dairy products, such as kefir or cottage cheese, also help speed up metabolism.
2. Avoid dehydration. Metabolism slows down with a lack of water, so it is advisable, in the absence of contraindications, to drink at least eight glasses of water daily. The easiest way is to drink one glass of water before each meal. This method, in addition, will help to get enough faster. Beverages such as green tea and black coffee also temporarily increase metabolism.
4. Continuous training is the best way to improve metabolism. Performing aerobic and strength exercises is necessary to increase metabolism.
5. Eat 6-7 times a day in small portions.
6. Reduce sugar intake and completely abandon artificial sweeteners.
7. Sleep at least 7-8 hours every night! Lack of sleep slows down the metabolism, makes a person irritable.
8. Be sure to have breakfast! Eggs, vegetables, oats, low-fat pastries, toasts, honey - all these are great ideas for a healthy breakfast. A hearty breakfast is one of the proven ways to improve your metabolism!
9. The use of spices. Red or green chili is one of the main metabolic accelerators.
10. Increase muscle mass. Having more muscle mass, a person is guaranteed to burn more calories, therefore, fat deposits will not accumulate.
11. Avoid stressful situations.
However, do not forget, explaining what metabolism is, and that such factors as the thyroid gland performance and heredity also influence its speed. The lack of hormones that the thyroid gland produces causes obesity. Their excess, on the contrary, accelerates metabolism, up to exhaustion.