Facts about Metabolism

Did you know your body is constantly burning calories, even when you're not working out? And that watching television can actually lower your metabolism?

When it comes to nutrition, every dieter dreads the elusive workings of the ‘M’ word.

Metabolism has had every diet freak in a tizzy, with its unpredictable ups and downs. While the world goes on to ponder the mysterious workings of one’s metabolic rate, this article shall provide some food for thought.

Constant Burning

Did you know that you tend to burn calories even when you’re not working out? The body converts fat into energy, to fuel its functions and the calories stored in the body provide us with this energy. The level of fat-burning depends upon the type of activity being done. You burn more calories running around than just working at a desk. Nonetheless, the body is like a machine which needs an inexhaustible source of energy to run. So even when you’re at rest, you’re still burning calories.

Consumption

We are constantly berated by nutritionists to maintain a healthy diet and exercise. Why? Because the thumb rule to losing weight is burning more calories than you can consume. This, in turn, helps maintain a high metabolic rate.

Ratio

For every 3,500 calories burnt, our weight drops by 50 grams. To that end, 20 minute walk burns 100 calories; a half hour swim burns 500 calories. The increase inphysical activity is, thus, directly proportional to the metabolic rate and amount of calories that you burn.

Physical Activity

People with fitter physiques are proven to have a higher metabolism because they burn a lot of calories not only during their workouts, but also when they are resting. Since the body gets used to the physical exertion, it becomes programmed to constantly burn calories. It is said that with every 100 calories burnt during a physical activity; the body continue to burn an additional 15 more when it rests.

Digestion

The process of digestion is itself conducive to high metabolic rates. As mentioned earlier, body functions constantly require energy to keep them going. Thus constantly eating will keep the body in constant digestion mode. This will help in maintaining a high metabolic rate. In this regard, skipping meals is detrimental. Not only will it slow down the digestive rate, but will retard the metabolic rate to conserve energy. This is why nutritionists stress on the value of small meals at regular intervals, instead of three heavy meals in the course of the day.

Brain Inactivity

The body in zero neural activity experiences a sudden drop in metabolic rates. In his regard watching television is the worst thing that you could do to lower metabolism. Studies show that lowered brain activity with almost negligible physical activity while watching television leads to a significant drop in metabolism by 14% The brighter side of this situation is that once the brain activity resumes, the metabolic cycles is revved up.

A good metabolic rate is essential to the process of maintaining good physical health. With these facts, one can surely take charge of their consumption and activity and steer clear of health problems.