Many people misunderstand the role of metabolism and the relationship of the process to your diet and weight. The resulting confusion causes some individuals to give metabolism too much credit for their weight when eating habits and physical activity are bigger influences. Accurate knowledge of how metabolism and nutrition interact allows you to adjust your diet and exercise level in order to have more control over your body and health.
Role of Nutrition
Following a healthy diet is important whether you are already at your desired weight or want to change your weight by gaining or losing pounds. When you eat nutritious food, your body is able to obtain the nutrients it needs, allowing your body to function optimally, which protects your health. Consuming too much fat is a common example of unhealthy eating, for example, and can cause fatty substances to build up in your arteries. The accumulation can lead to cardiovascular disease or other health-related complications eventually, unless you improve your diet by eating more nutritious foods containing less fat.
Role of Metabolism
Food and beverages contain energy measured in units known as calories. During the biochemical process called metabolism, your body converts the energy in the food and beverages you consume into energy that your body can use to function. The process involves breaking consumed food down in your digestive system and mixing the calories it contains with oxygen. This creates the fuel cells need to perform essential actions such as helping your blood circulate and your heart beat.
Interaction Between Nutrition and Metabolism
Eating properly helps keep your metabolism performing properly. To eat well, you must consume enough calories, preferably derived from healthy foods that supply your body with the nutrients it needs. Consuming fewer calories than your body requires can slow down your metabolism as much as 30 percent, notes the McKinley Health Center. The reduced rate occurs because your body attempts to protect you by using calories more conservatively. This helps the calories last longer. Healthy men should eat at least 1,800 calories per day, and healthy women should eat at least 1,200 calories per day, even when they are trying to lose weight. If weight loss does not occur at these minimum calories levels, increasing how much you exercise will burn more calories.
Considerations
The amount of muscle tissue in your body has a sizable impact on your metabolism. Compared to fat tissue, muscle tissue burns more calories because your body requires more energy to maintain it. The connection between muscle tissue and energy needs explains why men usually have a faster metabolism than women -- men tend to have more muscle tissue and less fat than women. Regardless of the speed of your metabolism, regularly consuming more calories than your body needs to complete basic functions will lead to weight gain if you do not burn off the excess calories through physical activity. This is because your body stores unused calories as fat.
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