Three Metabolism Myths Busted

Lisa Franchi February 24, 2016

Can’t lose weight? Is your metabolism to blame? Maybe. Maybe not. Metabolism refers to the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions within the cells. Put simply, it is your body’s way of converting food to energy. How fast or slow this process takes place depends on your metabolic rate, which is affected by so many factors.

Metabolism may be one of the most talked about topics when it comes to health and fitness. There is no wonder why there are several false beliefs about it too.

Metabolism declines with age.

Wonder why in your childhood years, you can eat a ton of food without gaining a pound of weight but in old age weight gain seems to be irresistible no matter how you control your diet? It is a common belief that metabolism declines with age. And this is partially true. The reason is when you are still young, your body is under massive growth and development. So all excess calories are converted into usable energy. But as you age, your body no longer requires too much calories to expend, so the excess will be stored as fats. Hence, you gain weight. Nonetheless, even though you cannot anymore reach the peak of your metabolic rate like in your youth, you can make lifestyle changes to make it close. Regular physical activity plus healthy food choices are among the best ways to speed up your metabolism.

Supplements work.

Many people rely on supplements to boost their metabolism. But you need not spend a fortune on these products. Also, you have to take note that these supplements don’t provide a long-term solution to your metabolic problems. If you’re after a sustainable and long-term metabolic boost, the best thing to do is to make a diet overhaul. Research has shown that foods that are rich in fibre increase metabolism significantly. Some other foods have been proven to have positive effects on metabolism, such as green tea and chili.

It’s all about timing your meals.

They say that if you want to boost your metabolism, you should opt for smaller meals frequently. This works - but only for some. For others, it can actually cause an increase in intrahepatic triglyceride (belly fats) - a risk factor for all sorts of fun diseases. Even though you are eating less more frequently, if you’re choosing unhealthy meals, your metabolism will still slow down.

We shouldn’t blame metabolism for our weight problems. There are long-term and sustainable solutions to improve our metabolic rate, and they include proper diet and exercise.