Are you one of those people who just looks at a slice of bread and gains 5 lbs? Or, are you the much envied individual who sits down to a 6-course meal three times and day and STILL can’t quite manage to gain a pound? We’re often left wondering why one person can eat pretty much anything, while others struggle continuously. The reason behind this could be attributed to many things, but it often comes down to one simple factor, your metabolism. Metabolism refers to the chemical reactions that occur in the body, necessary to maintain life in cells and organisms. It is a complex network of hormones and enzymes that convert food into fuel and also affects how efficiently you burn that fuel. Essentially, it equals your basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is the energy your body needs to burn in order to keep functioning. In each individual, these reactions occur at different rates, contributing to fast and slow metabolisms, which also corresponds to how slowly or quickly you gain and lose weight. There are many factors that influence the speed at which our metabolism functions, such as genetics. You can actually inherit a fast OR slow metabolism. Age will also play a role. As we age, the activity in our cells naturally slows down. Even gender can make a difference, with men having a metabolism that can be 10 to 15 times faster than a woman’s. But, there is good news! We can influence our bodies and change the rate at which we burn fuel with the following methods: 1) Exercise Muscle will burn calories more quickly than fat will, so weight body composition plays a large role in your overall metabolic rate. Strength training (not cardio!), is necessary for muscle development, contributing to a faster metabolism. 2) Diet Our diet plays a large role when it comes to our metabolic rate; not only what we eat, but when we eat. Many people choose to skip meals during the day, thinking this will contribute to weight loss, but in reality, the opposite is true. When we skip meals, the body goes into “starvation mode” and the body will actually slow down the metabolic processes in order to conserve energy, leading to fewer calories burned. In the long term, this can lead to weight gain. That’s why it’s important to eat at regular intervals, so the metabolism stays high. 3) Hormonal Balance Our hormones interact with our bodies on many different levels. Thyroid hormones, for example, play a large role in our general metabolic rate. Abnormal elevations in your thyroid hormones will cause an associated increase in your metabolic rate, leading to unexplained weight loss and increased appetite. The same is true of an abnormal decrease in thyroid hormones, which slows the metabolism and can be associated with weight gain. If you feel your metabolic rate isn’t functioning as it should, be sure to have your hormones checked by your health care provider. 4) Supplementation Supplementation can be extremely helpful when it comes to increasing the metabolic rate. Often, when the metabolism is lagging, giving it a boost goes a long way. Truestar has a few key products that can help. A basic multivitamin is key, ensuring optimal nutrient stores, so that basic physiological processes can occur effectively. TrueBASICS for Men or TrueBASICS for Women will provide all of these basic nutrients and more, with fish oil, calcium-magnesium and additional B vitamins for optimal wellness and prevention. TrueTHERMO contains a blend of botanicals, such as guarana and green tea that will work to increase the metabolism, mixed with botanicals to assist in weight loss. TrueENERGY is another great option, with a mix of ingredients such as guarana and B vitamins to address the metabolic rate.
Posted on: Wed, 04 Sep 2013 05:13:05 +0000
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