The term metabolism refers to all of the processes in your body that use or convert energy. Some of these processes include body temperature control, digestion, breathing, blood circulation, muscle contraction, brain and nerve function and elimination of wastes. When discussing metabolism speed, people are generally referring to basal metabolic rate, or BMR. Your BMR is the number of calories your body uses to carry out these metabolic functions; it accounts for 60 to 75 percent of your calorie burn.
Speed of BMR
Although people tend to blame weight gain on a slow metabolism, your basal metabolic rate remains fairly constant. Your basal metabolic rate is determined by your body composition, sex and age. People who are larger or have more muscle mass than fat generally have a faster BMR. Men usually have a faster BMR than women. As you age, your muscle mass converts to fat, so BMR slows down. Because of this, younger people usually have a faster BMR than older people.
Increasing BMR Speed
It is possible to increase the rate of your metabolism slightly. Engaging in regular exercise can help you lose weight and convert fat into lean muscle mass. Since lean muscle mass burns more calories than fat, this can help increase the speed of your metabolism. Eating regularly is also an important factor in keeping your metabolism rate steady. When you skip meals, your BMR slows down in an effort to conserve calories. If you regularly skip meals, it can lead to weight gain, rather than weight loss. You should eat a small meal or snack every few hours to keep your BMR rate high.
Slow Metabolism
Your metabolism is a natural body process, and because of this, it changes to compensate for your lifestyle. Many people blame weight gain on a slow metabolism, but this is rarely the case. There are some conditions, however, that can cause your metabolic rate to slow down. Your thyroid hormones directly control the rate of your metabolism. Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, can lead to a decreased metabolic rate and weight gain. Cushing's syndrome may also result in a slow metabolism.
Considerations
If you want to lose weight, it is important to focus on regular exercise and proper eating rather than tricks to speed up the rate of your metabolism. Because your metabolic rate is inherited, there is not much you can do to change it. Instead, control your portion sizes and burn off more calories than you consume.
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