DIET CHAT USA

Can a slow metabolism be the blame for your weight gain?

Yes, but it is rare.  It may seem logical to think that being overweight or having a significant weight gain is due to a slow metabolism or even an underlying condition like an underactive thyroid gland, but, most overweight people don’t have hypothyroidism. In actuality, this is very uncommon. Factors more likely contributing to weight gain are: eating too many calories, not getting enough exercise, medications, family history, genetics, or unhealthy habits such as not getting enough sleep, drinking enough water or skipping breakfast.

However, several factors do determine your basal metabolic rate:

 

• Larger people or those who have more muscle mass burn more calories, even at rest, so overweight individuals are more likely to have a faster metabolism rate instead of a slower one. This is due to the increased energy expended for basic body functions such circulating blood, repairing cells or even breathing. A very common myth is a slim person's metabolism is fast and an overweight person's metabolism is slow. This, usually, is not the case. Weight is dependent on the balance of calories consumed versus calories expended. If you take in more calories than you burn, then you will gain weight. Consume fewer calories than you burn and your body will use your energy reserves—fat---as fuel.

 

• Men normally burn more calories than women. This is due to the fact that men normally have more muscle and less fat than women of the same age.

 

• Age plays a big part. As you get older, your muscle mass decreases, which slows down the rate at which you burn calories. In other words, the more muscle you lose and fat you replace the muscle with the slower your metabolism will get.

 

Weight Loss and Metabolism: What exactly is metabolism? Metabolism is the process which converts calories into energy. It’s an engine which burns calories as fuel. To put it simply, metabolism is the body’s biochemical process which converts the energy in the food you eat into the energy your body needs to function. This complex process uses the calories from the food you eat—carbohydrates, proteins, fats and alcohol— and combines them with oxygen to produce the energy your body needs to function. The quantity of calories your body burns per day is called your total energy expenditure. Your total energy expenditure consists of three factors:  

Your body’s basic needs: Your body requires energy for breathing, to fuel organs, circulate blood, producing and repairing cells, and adjusting hormone levels—even when your body is at rest. Energy requirements for these functions are fairly consistent and isn’t easily changed.

Processing food: About 10% of the calories expended each day are used for digestion and the absorption, transporting and storing the calories in the food you eat. This process is pretty steady and isn’t easily changed. 

Physical activity: Walking, jogging, swimming, chasing the dog or any other movement you do accounts for the remainder of calories expended throughout the day. You can’t control the calories burned by your body’s basic needs and food processes, but you can control the extra calories being burned by the physical activities you carry out.

How can I boost my metabolism? Exercise to increase muscle and reduce fat. Since muscle burns more calories than fat--even at rest--your metabolism will increase.

Note: If you think your metabolism is slow or you are concerned and think you have an underactive thyroid you should talk with your doctor about Cushing’s syndrome or hypothyroidism.