Your metabolism is the energy your body burns to maintain itself. Several factors influence your metabolic rate. Some of them are genetic and can not be altered. Others are environmental, or depend on specific actions you take. The way you eat, your lifestyle and your level of physical fitness can all influence your metabolism.
Regular Physical Fitness
Regular physical activity, whether walking or exercising in a gym, regulates many of your body's functions. When you burn calories and process nutrients during periods of heightened activity, your metabolic rate increases in order to convert more food into energy. The metabolic processes boosted by this effect gradually enter a more constant state of heightened activity as your body becomes accustomed to burning more calories.
Dietary Supplements
Coconut oil, green tea and kelp are listed by VitaminsToHealth.com as viable supplements for increasing thyroid activity and metabolic rates. The mild thermogenic effect of green tea increases the amount of energy the body uses in heat production. Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid that is said to activate the metabolism by affecting the thyroid gland. The metabolic precursors and naturally occurring iodine in kelp combine to contribute to thyroid gland operation and boost metabolic activity.
Physical Influences On Metabolism
TargetWoman.com lists hot and cold temperatures as beneficial to increase metabolic activity. The heat from a sauna increases metabolic rates by over 20 percent, and cooling down or remaining active in cold weather also generates an increase of over 20 percent. External stress sources can also boost the metabolism in a similar way as exercise, as internal operations within the body are prompted by adrenaline to function at higher levels for a period of time.
Regular Meals, Balanced Diet And Specific Foods
Eating regularly and consuming healthy food prompt regular and consistent metabolic activity. Certain foods, such as chilies, can also provide an additional boost. These peppers boost the metabolic rate by up to 50 percent for up to three hours after ingestion. Drinking water helps wash out toxins and aids in kidney and liver functions, contributing to metabolic activity.
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