How To Increase Metabolism With Vitamins, Minerals & Herbs

Metabolism is the process by which your body takes food and converts it into fuel to keep you going. The higher your metabolism, the faster you burn off the calories you consume, even when you aren't exercising. Physical activity does play a role in increasing your metabolic rate, by increasing muscle mass which creates more demand for fuel. Taking certain vitamins, minerals and herbs can also help boost your metabolism, especially when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Consult your doctor before introducing any supplement into your diet.

Step 1

Take a B complex supplement daily, according to the manufacturer's directions. B complex vitamins, which include riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3) and pantothenic acid (B12) are all essential nutrients for metabolism. According to Elmhurst College, riboflavin is used by your body to use oxygen within your cells. Riboflavin is also important for cell production, growth and freeing energy from carbohydrates so your body can use them as fuel. The B vitamins work together in your body in the metabolic processes, from beginning to end, each vitamin having a specific role in converting the food you eat into energy.

Step 2

Use a vitamin C supplement to help your body synthesize a substance called carnitine. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that your body can't produce without a source outside your body, including foods and supplements. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, carnitine is used by your body to transport fat molecules so they can be converted into energy. Additionally, vitamin C is essential for metabolism of cholesterol and acts as an antioxidant.

Step 3

Try a calcium supplement. Calcium, commonly found in dairy products, plays an important role in metabolism, at the cellular level. Your body uses calcium to maintain the integrity of the circulatory, neurological and endocrine systems. All of these systems are involved in the process of metabolism, according to the National Institutes of Health. In fact, 99 percent of the calcium used by your body is for building bones and teeth, the remaining 1 percent is specifically for supporting metabolism.

Step 4

Drink green tea or take a green tea supplement. A 2005 study performed at Health Care Products Research Laboratories and published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that male subjects lost more weight when they drank green tea that contained a higher concentration of catechins. Catechins are substances naturally found in green tea that can help increase metabolism so you lose weight. Green tea also contains caffeine, which can provide you with additional energy for physical activity.

Step 5

Add the spice, cayenne, to your foods or use a cayenne supplement. Cayenne is frequently used in spicy foods. This effect is key to the metabolism-boosting effect of cayenne. According to the University of Maryland, cayenne can slightly increase your body temperature temporarily. Increased temperature leads to an increase in your metabolism, causing your body to burn fat as fuel. Cayenne also may help balance blood glucose levels by moderating the digestion of carbohydrates.