Many people are aware of what this means, but you might not be: As we age, our metabolism slows down.
Now, when I write articles like this I have no way of knowing who will be reading it. As a result, I have long tried to quit assuming that everybody who reads one knows all the words I use.
In fact, I like to think that a great many people ARE reading this specifically BECAUSE they don't know the words, the ideas, and the facts, and are trusting me to help them out.
That being the case, let's stop and talk about some basics before we get in too deep.
So, if you know a bit about metabolism and don't want to wade through the basics with the rest of the class, you have permission to slide on down the page. If, however, you don't know what it is, why it matters, and what you can do to make it work for you, please stick with me.
When someone uses the word "metabolism", they are simply talking about your body processing the food you feed it. When they talk about "metabolic rate", they're just talking about the speed, at which this process happens. Like so many things in life our metabolism is unique in that it is ours. Most of us have two legs, but each of us has our own legs. Just so, we all have a measurable metabolic rate, but we each have our own metabolic rate. It can be affected by many factors, including age, sex, diet, medications, just to name a few.
When we measure someone's metabolic rate, we may find that it is "fast", "slow", or somewhere in between. Someone with a "fast" metabolism burns up the food, if you will, faster than someone with a "slow" metabolism. Sadly for those of us who do NOT have a fast metabolism, a person who is so lucky as to have one is going to be thinner than one who does not.
While there are many factors, in addition to heredity, there are four which are generally considered as having the most influence on our metabolism. These four are age, sex, activity, and diet.
It may seem impossible to change the effect of age and sex on the metabolic rate. However, by changing our amount of activity, making better nutritional choices, and, in some cases, by taking some supplements, it appears that we can materially speed up our metabolism. A higher metabolic rate brings with it more energy and lower weight. This commonly translates into a longer life in better health, with more opportunity and ability to enjoy it.
Almost any form of exercise will increase metabolism, at least temporarily, during and after a session. For those wanting the most effective exercises for raising one's metabolism, the best exercises for increasing metabolism are usually those which are considered to be strength training or resistance exercise. When most people think of strength training, things like weight lifting comes to mind. But, there are other strength training options, including bodyweight exercises, isometric exercises, and even power yoga.
Another factor which slows down our metabolism is that so many of us eat the wrong foods. To keep your metabolism elevated, you should not have to go on some weird diet. Honestly, simply choosing the right foods can make a world of difference. A good discussion of nutrition to increase metabolism requires more space than this article can spare. Most of the time, I simply recommend that people check out the glycemic index and try to eat in accordance with its guidelines.
For those who need a little help, there are some supplements, such as Vitamin B12 and a few weight loss supplements. One of these, raspberry ketones, seem to be somewhat effective in raising energy levels and increasing metabolism. This supplement has been endorsed by no less a celebrity than Dr. Oz. However, they are "supplements" and should be used in conjunction with regular exercise and a good program of nutrition.
Donovan Baldwin is a 67-year-old exerciser, freelance writer, certified optician, and Internet marketer currently living in the Dallas - Fort Worth area. A University Of West Florida alumnus (1973) with a BA in accounting, he has been a member of Mensa and has been a Program Accountant for the Florida State Department of Education, the Business Manager of a community mental health center, and a multi-county Fiscal Consultant for an educational field office. He has also been a trainer for a major international corporation, and has managed various small businesses, including his own. After retiring from the U. S. Army in 1995, with 21 years of service, he became interested in Internet marketing and developed various online businesses. He has been writing poetry, articles, and essays for over 40 years, and now frequently publishes original articles on his own websites and for use by other webmasters. You can learn more about metabolism at http://nodiet4me.com/metabolism.
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