The word "metabolism" represents the chemical reactions in your body that regulate the building up or breaking down of body tissues, which controls the storage or production of energy for your body. If you ruined your metabolism, causing it to stop, you'd die. Your metabolism may slow dramatically and increase your chances of gaining weight. However, lifestyle changes help increase your metabolism to promote weight loss.
Lifestyle Factors for Slow Metabolism
Two common reasons for decreased metabolism include a very low calorie intake and the lack of physical activity. MedlinePlus indicates that women need a minimum of 1,200 calories each day, and men need a minimum of 1,500 calories each day. The failure to consume adequate calories causes your body to go into "starvation mode," which causes your metabolism to slow dramatically in an attempt to save energy. Eventually, your body breaks down muscle tissue for energy. This causes your metabolism to slow down even more, because lean muscle mass takes more energy to sustain than fat tissue. A lack of physical activity increases your loss of muscle tissue.
Medical Factors for Slow Metabolism
Medical factors that slow metabolism include aging and diseases affecting your endocrine system. Aging decreases your metabolism due to the natural loss of muscle tissue that accompanies aging. Diseases, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes and pancreatitis, that decrease the hormone output of your thyroid or pancreas, may also slow your metabolism or initiate further breakdown of your lean muscle tissue.
Improving Your Metabolism
While you may not have control over your medical conditions, you do have control over your diet and activity level. Aim to eat three balanced meals, starting with breakfast, and two light snacks each day to keep your metabolism revved up, advises Jim White, a registered dietician representing the American Dietetic Association, in an article in the July/August 2010 issue of "Fitness" magazine. Physical activity at any level of intensity increases your metabolism. If you want to maintain or build lean muscle tissue, you need to exercise at a moderate intensity or perform strength-training exercises.
Warning
If you experience unexplained weight gain, especially when dietary and exercise modifications do not help, consult your physician. This weight gain may result from a disease of the endocrine system or a more serious medical condition causing you to retain fluid, such as kidney disease or heart disease. Without proper medical treatment, these conditions may result in death.
References
- TeensHealth; Metabolism; Steven Dowshen, M.D.; May 2009
- MedlinePlus; Tips for Losing Weight; Dr. David Zieve, et al.; October 2009
- HelpGuide.org; Anorexia Nervosa: Signs, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment; Melinda Smith, M.A., et al.; June 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Metabolism and Weight Loss: How You Burn Calories; Mayo Clinic staff; October 2009
- "Fitness"; Supercharge Your Metabolism!; Maura Kelly; July/August 2010
- Net Wellness; Ask the Expert: Unexplained Weight Gain; Ganesh Shidham, M.D.; June 2008
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