How to boost your metabolism

Those with a low metabolism generally battle with weight problems, a slow thyroid and the related health problems that come from being overweight. After the age of 40, individuals begin to lose one percent of muscle mass per year. At the same time, food intake may increase. This can mean a significant weight increase over subsequent years. Read this article to learn how to boost your metabolism.

What affects the metabolism?

Many people ask themselves "How can I speed up my metabolism in order to improve my overall health?" Definition of metabolism Metabolism is the rate at which the body produces energy and consumes calories in order to sustain life. An individual's metabolism is factored by amount of muscle tissue he or she has, frequency and consistency of meals consumed, genetics, stress levels, personal diet and the amount of daily activity undertaken. People give anything to have a faster metabolism because more energy or fat is burnt with a fast metabolism. It is important to know the proper ways to speed up metabolism and what metabolism foods to eat.

Get a faster metabolism by being active

Simple activities Build lean body mass by engaging in weight resistance training work-outs. Simple activities like walking, biking, taking the stairs instead of an elevator, running, playing with the kids and swimming can all help in getting a faster metabolism because you are moving and the body naturally will burn up calories in this way. Manage stress Any physical or emotional stress in a person's life triggers the release of a steroid called cortisol. Cortisol slows down the metabolism and contributes to weight gain. Moreover, stress often makes one eat too much without even thinking about what or how much is being consumed.

Metabolism foods

Eat spices such as cayenne pepper, ginger and paprika. Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains in the diet. Add green tea to the menu and drink plenty of water. Stay away from refined sugar and carbohydrates.

More tips to a faster metabolism

Sleep Experts suggest that in order to raise the metabolism, more sleep is often required. Research shows that people who don’t sleep enough tend to gain more weight and crucial muscle regeneration occurs during the last few hours of sleep during the night. Eat healthy Don't go on a starvation diet - avoid hunger pangs. Eat healthy snacks when hungry, since going hungry or fasting triggers a slowing down of the metabolic rate. Eat small meals more often, especially when hungry. Avoid heavy, large meals which can make one feel sluggish and will not help to boost your metabolism.