We all want access to basic information about metabolism and how it affects our bodies, lives, and everyday activities. This includes what we eat, how we eat, how we exercise, and how all our daily events affect our body and how it processes energy. Getting basic information about metabolism is relatively easy and requires little research. Honestly, any basic search on an internet search engine such as Google will offer a nearly endless supply of information to peruse.
We’ve done some of the research here for basic information about metabolism to get you started on your research and learning journey. First, we should define metabolism. Metabolism is a process that everyone needs to understand to achieve and maintain a healthy existence. It’s how our cells change the food we eat into the energy we need to breathe, move, think, and everything else. It keeps us, all living things, alive.
A person’s metabolism (in basic information about metabolism terms) can be focused on several areas: diet, exercise, and medication.
Basic information about metabolism and diet is likely the first place to start understanding how your body reacts to how it turns food into energy. Consuming too many calories and not getting enough exercise leaves us with excess energy that we store as fat – plain and simple. The best ways to lose weight and achieve better, more vibrant overall health is by staying active and eating a healthy diet. Your body burns more calories by digesting proteins than by eating fat or carbohydrates. Protein sources include lean beef, turkey, fish, white meat, chicken, tofu, nuts, beans, eggs, and low-fat dairy products.
Regarding meals, focus on proteins, and don’t be afraid to spice them up. Spicy foods have natural chemicals that can increase your metabolism. Cooking foods with chopped red or green chili pepper can also increase metabolism.
On the flip side of the metabolism-boosting process is exercise. How much and the exercise will determine how much boost you are giving your metabolism. This is another area in which having basic information about metabolism is important. Building muscle mass and getting plenty of cardio should do the trick. After a strength training session, muscles are activated all over your body, raising your average daily metabolic rate. Your body burns calories, even when resting.
Aerobic exercise may not increase muscle mass, but it can increase metabolism. High-intensity training affects resting metabolic rates more than low- or moderate-intensity workouts. Try a more intense workout regimen to get the full benefit.
Vitamins are essential to overall health and well-being and understanding basic information about metabolism. Not getting enough specific vitamins can interfere with your metabolism. For example, the recommended dose of vitamin D is needed to help absorb calcium and keep your bones nice and firm. Vitamin B is essential to metabolism as it helps your body break down carbs, fats, and proteins. Vitamin C plays a critical role in the question, “what is metabolism.” Vitamin C not only helps maintain your metabolism, but it helps trigger weight loss.
Magnesium is vital to your overall health and wellness. It helps with metabolic function and over 300 enzyme reactions. There is evidence that giving magnesium supplements to “metabolically obese, normal-weight” people helped lower blood pressure and improved overall metabolism.
Some medicines and drugs can slow down your metabolism. These include many antidepressants, mood stabilizers, diabetes medicines, corticosteroids, migraine and seizure prevention medications, beta-blockers (heart medications), and allergy relievers. Studies continue to further our understanding of our metabolism and how it is affected by various elements, including vitamins and medications.
Regarding the complexity of our metabolism, it doesn’t take much to find basic information about metabolism.