Surprising Facts about Metabolism

What really IS our Metabolism?

It’s tempting to think of your metabolism as an internal speedometer … or maybe like a hamster running on a wheel. The faster it goes, the faster you burn calories and fat.

But in reality, it’s a complex biochemical process that your body uses to convert what you eat and drink into energy. The majority of the calories your body burns (up to 70%) happens at rest…just being YOU to maintain all the processes of the body, also known as your BMR (basal metabolic rate).

What controls your BMR?

• Genetics
• Size (height/weight)
• Age. 
• Gender.
• Health Issues
• Lifestyle factors that influence BMR?
• Non-Exercise Physical Activity
• Thermic Effect of Food (energy to digest food)
• Structured Exercise
• Body Composition 

Which of these false Metabolism Myths have you fallen for?!

• Eating small frequent meals increases metabolism
• Hot spicy food, drinking cold water, green tea and supplements actually work long term
• Some people are born with a faster or slower metabolism

What about the Facts??

• Your body burns the same amount of calories digesting your food with 3 or 6 meals/day
• Spicy food and other foods may slightly increase your metabolism short term, but it won’t have a long term effect on improving metabolism
• Your genetics play a role in your metabolism, but your LIFESTYLE factors also make a huge difference!

What else I wish people knew:

• Your overall physical activity plays a larger role in your metabolism than exercise!
• The more muscle you have, the faster your resting metabolism rate.
• Your hormones affect your metabolism, specifically your thyroid. Without optimal thyroid health, your metabolism will suffer.

Some other FUN FACTS about your Metabolism:

1. Estrogen levels affect Metabolic Rate. Did you know that low estrogen can actually lead to insulin resistance? That’s because estrogen makes you more insulin sensitive, thus supporting a healthy metabolism and fat burning. This is why many women in their 40s or 50s start to gain weight when menopause hits; It is linked to low estrogen!
2. Optimal Vitamin D levels can improve Metabolism. It acts as a hormone in the body and needed for different processes like mood regulation & gut health. Studies have shown supplementation and those with optimal levels of Vit D had a better functioning metabolism!
3. Gut Health affects Metabolism. Our gut is where many of your hormones are synthesized and your nutrients absorbed. Studies have linked a healthy gut microbiome to better health overall. If you’re suffering from digestive issues but also things like brain fog, pain, and low energy, these could be signs that your metabolism is impaired.

If you’re wanting to learn more about how to positively influence your metabolism, then I’ve got something awesome for you:

🌟Take my Free Metabolic Dysfunction Quiz to see if any of your daily issues are related to poor metabolism. Plus, then you can grab my Free Metabolism Guide and my top recommendations to get out of your metabolism slump!