What Is Metabolism? Know The Science Behind It

‘You look so fit, you must have a good metabolism’ – how often have you heard this? This phrase conjures up the idea in our mind that good metabolism can keep our weight in check. But how does this happen? How is metabolism related to weight loss or gain? To get answers for this, you need to understand the science behind metabolism.

To get an expert view on this topic, we spoke to Dr Mahesh DM, Consultant – Endocrinology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore. Let’s take a look at what the expert has to say.

What is the Science Behind Metabolism?

Let’s get straight to the point and try to understand what metabolism is, and what is the science behind it.

Dr Mahesh DM explains that metabolism is the process by which the body converts food into energy. “It includes all the chemical reactions that happen in the body to keep us alive, like breathing, digesting, and repairing cells. There are two main parts of metabolism – catabolism, which breaks down food to release energy; and, anabolism – which uses that energy to build and repair tissues.”

He adds that the rate at which your body burns calories for energy is called your metabolic rate. “Factors such as age, gender, muscle mass, hormones, and physical activity impact how fast or slow your metabolism works. A faster metabolism means your body uses more energy, while a slower metabolism burns energy more slowly,” cites Dr Mahesh DM.

How Metabolism Affects Weight 

We all have heard how a good metabolism helps us keep our weight in check. Let’s try to understand why. “Metabolism affects weight by controlling how quickly the body burns calories for energy. If you have a fast metabolism, your body uses up calories quickly, which makes it harder to gain weight. But if you have a slow metabolism, your body burns fewer calories, so extra calories get stored as fat, leading to weight gain. Your metabolic rate depends on various factors. People with more muscle usually have a faster metabolism because muscles use more energy than fat. Eating balanced meals, staying active, and getting enough sleep can help keep your metabolism healthy and support a stable weight over time,” explains Dr Mahesh DM.

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How To Have a Healthy Metabolism

The expert reveals that you can have a healthy metabolism by following a few simple habits every day. Dr Mahesh DM jots them down for us:

• Eat balanced meals with enough protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to give your body steady energy.
• Do regular exercise, especially strength training, to build muscle and boost your metabolism.
• Drink enough water because dehydration can slow down how your body burns calories.
• Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily, as poor sleep can affect hormones that control metabolism.
• Avoid skipping meals or crash diets, which can make your body burn energy more slowly.
• Managing stress and staying active throughout the day also help your metabolism work better and keep your energy levels high.

Factors Affecting Metabolism

Many factors affect metabolism and how fast your body burns calories. The expert shares the factors with us:

• Metabolism slows down with age as muscle mass diminishes with time.
• Gender plays a role, as men often have a faster metabolism than women because they have more muscle.
• Body size and muscle mass also matter.
• Larger bodies and more muscles burn more energy.
• Hormones like thyroid and insulin control how food is used for energy.
• Physical activity boosts metabolism by increasing calorie use.
• Diet affects it too by eating enough protein can raise metabolism slightly.
• Sleep, stress, and genetics also influence how efficiently your body works.

“A healthy lifestyle helps keep your metabolism steady and supports better energy and weight balance,” says Dr Mahesh DM.

Also Read: How To Know If Your Gut Is Slowing Down Your Weight Loss

What are Metabolic Disorders? 

You must have heard about metabolic disorders? Let’s hear it out from our expert what it means.
“Metabolic disorders are health issues that occur when the body cannot properly transform food into energy. They occur when chemical processes that control metabolism don’t work correctly because of enzyme or hormone imbalances. This can lead to too much or too little of certain substances in the body, causing health issues. Some metabolic disorders are genetic, while others are acquired, such as diabetes or thyroid problems. Common symptoms include tiredness, weight changes, and slow growth in children. These disorders can affect how the body uses sugar, fat, or protein. Treatment often includes special diets, medicines, and lifestyle changes to help manage symptoms and keep metabolism working normally,” shares Dr Mahesh DM.

Do You Have a Healthy Metabolism?

Now, if you are wondering whether you have a healthy metabolism or not, let us answer that for you.

“You can know if you have a healthy metabolism by paying attention to your body’s energy, weight, and overall health. If you feel active, maintain a steady weight without much effort, and don’t feel tired often, your metabolism is likely healthy. Good digestion, normal hunger levels, and a stable mood are also signs. A healthy metabolism helps you burn calories efficiently and keeps your body functions balanced. If you gain or lose weight suddenly, feel tired all the time, or have trouble focusing, your metabolism may be slow or unbalanced. A doctor can check your thyroid levels, blood sugar, and other tests to confirm if your metabolism is working properly and suggest ways to improve it,” concludes Dr Mahesh DM.

The Final Word

It includes all the chemical reactions that happen in the body to keep us alive, like breathing, digesting, and repairing cells. Factors like age, gender, muscle mass, hormones, and physical activity affect how fast or slow your metabolism works.