The True Facts About Metabolism And Your Weight

It is majority's belief that human's metabolism is closely linked his weight; a slim person's metabolism is high and an overweight person's metabolism is low. Is that totally true? In fact, human's weight doesn't just depend on metabolism alone.

Instead, human's weight is dependent on the balance of calories consumed versus calories burned. It is a simple equation, take in calories more than your body needs, and you gain weight. Take in less and you lose weight. Metabolism, then, is the engine that burns these calories and is the scale that regulates your energy needs.

During metabolism, human body converts foods into energy. The energy is "re-used" again in 3 basic ways.

1) Basic needs - Even when your body is at rest, it requires energy for the basics, such as fuel for organs, breathing, circulating blood, adjusting hormone levels, plus growing and repairing cells. Calories expended to cover these basic functions are your basal metabolic rate. About 75% of the total energy is used for this and it is fairly constant.

2) Food processing - Internal functions like digesting, absorbing, transporting and storing the food you consume also takes energy. This accounts for about 10 % of the calories used each day. It is also fairly constant and isn't easily changed.

3) Physical activity - such as swimming, cycling, chasing after the dog and even doing house chores — accounts for the remainder of calories used. The frequency, duration and the intensity of your activities are the factors that deciding how much calories to be burned.

One such medical condition called hypothyroidism, which could lead low metabolism due to under-active thyroid gland. In reality, it's very uncommon for excess weight to be related to a low metabolism. And most people who are overweight don't have an underlying condition, such as hypothyroidism.

Energy imbalance is the usual root cause of weight gain - more input than your body burns. To lose weight effectively, one has to create an energy deficit by consuming food with lesser calories, increase the energy burning through physical activities .

While your metabolism has certain influence on your energy needs, but it's your food intake and physical activity that ultimately determine your weight. Losing weight is like taking a long distance run, it requires that you have perseverance, motivation and strong will to succeed.







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