What is Metabolism?

When it comes to weight loss or just generally trying to stay fit and healthy, “metabolism” is a word that is routinely tossed around. But what exactly is metabolism and what does it have to do with your ability to maintain a healthy weight?

Defining Metabolism

Simply put, metabolism refers to the process that your body goes through in order to convert the things that you eat and drink into energy. During this process, the calories from your food and beverages are combined with oxygen in order to release energy for your body. Even when your body is at rest, your metabolism is at work as it releases the energy that your body needs for automatic functions such as breathing, circulating blood, growing and repairing cells and adjusting your hormone levels. 

Determining Your Metabolic Rate

The number of calories that your body burns when it is at rest and completing its basic functions is referred to as your basal metabolic rate. A number of different factors determine your basal metabolism. The first of these factors is your body size and composition, with larger people or people with more muscle burning more calories than smaller individuals even while at rest. Your gender can also affect your metabolism, with men typically having less body fat and more muscle when compared to women of the same age and weight. As such, men tend to burn more calories while at rest than women. Finally, your age will have an effect on your metabolism, with metabolic rates slowing down as you age.

The energy that your body needs to complete its basic functions typically remains pretty consistent and is not easy to change. To learn more about how you can give your metabolism a boost or how it affects your weight and health goals, contact Prolean Wellness today!