Body Metabolism: what it is and what it depends on
In adult humans, organs such as the liver, brain, heart and kidneys alone contribute to 60% of the energy expenditure associated with the basal metabolism.
Muscle mass participates for 22%, while adipose tissue, while representing 15-20% of body weight, accounts for only 4%.
Unlike fat, muscle is a particularly active tissue from a metabolic point of view, especially when it is kept in training with daily physical exercise. For the same weight, muscle consumes many more calories than adipose tissue; for this reason the basal metabolic rate is lower in women and higher in men.
With age, fat mass tends to increase, regardless of gender; together with the reduction in the level of physical activity this explains, at least in part, the decline in metabolic rate associated with aging.
The body's metabolism is also influenced by other factors:
- it is greater in overfed individuals than in undernourished individuals
- increases when climatic conditions become prohibitive (too hot or too cold)
- increases during illnesses
One of the factors that can have the greatest effect on the basal metabolism is the hormonal balance of the organism. The thyroid, a real "control unit of our physical boiler", greatly influences the daily energy expenditure. For this reason, the serum levels of these hormones must be taken into consideration if you want to get an accurate estimate of your body metabolism.
Increase your metabolism
To give an extra gear to a sluggish metabolism, it is a good idea to include a daily appointment with physical exercise in your diary, perhaps by canceling a few too many dinners or lunches. Getting around is really very important, but you need to do it in the right way. to have fun, putting in the right effort but without imposing impossible goals. Secondly, if you do not have a solid motor base behind you, it is good to rely on the advice of a qualified personal trainer, able to provide important advice on everything that is wellness To learn more: which sport to lose weight?
To increase the metabolism and gain in well-being and shape, it is good to observe a rational diet, without denying habits and palate. Decreasing portions and increasing the number of daily meals, combining at least one snack with the three main meals, is the best way to increase a metabolism probably depressed by the continuous succession of last minute diets. Sweets, alcohol, drinks and various snacks, will go obviously limited and replaced with plenty of water, whole grains, fruit and vegetables.
Beyond the simplistic and summarizing tones of this article, we have prepared a guided path, which will help you, step by step, to increase your metabolism and to obtain a considerable psychophysical benefit.