Menu:
Metabolism and Weight Loss
There are many people who have an essential idea of metabolism but they are not clear how it is related to weight loss. The general conception is that merely having a higher rate of metabolism results in weight loss.
The reality is that metabolism in itself has nothing to do with weight loss. Weight loss is a completely different process which is determined by difference between number of calories taken and number of calories burned. However, as metabolism determines the number of calories burned, it does play an important part in loosing weight.
Process of Weight Loss
Weight loss is caused by burning of more calories over the number of calories consumed. This way, the fat stored in the body is used as a fuel leading to reduction of weight.
The number of calories burned every day is generally called as total energy expenditure. The energy is lost in typically three following ways
- Basic Requirements: Even when body is at complete rest there are various activities that are going within. Heart is pumping blood. Oxygen is drawn and carbon-di-oxide is released and brain continues to send and receive signals from nerve receptors, and cells grow and break all the time. All these activities require energy. In fact these basic requirements take almost two third of all calories burned each day. This requirement is more or less consistent and does not change on daily basis though it can alter with age or pathological conditions.
- Food Processing: Food processing involves a great use of energy. Chewing, transportation of food, digestion, absorption, and production of useful and waste material all require energy. Usually it requires 10 % of total calories consumed during the day.
- Physical Activity: Physical activity, such as playing, walking, exercise and outdoor activities require rest of the calories used. As these are voluntary functions, meaning we can determine how much calories we want to burn through them, they play most important role in the step of weight loss.
Metabolism and Weight Loss
Normal metabolism rates insure that body is converting the consumed calories into useful energy and hence preventing the accumulation of fat. However the converse is not true. Obese people are not shown with lower metabolism rates than normal. Their weight increase is actually due to imbalance between calorie intake and physical activities to burn them. Low metabolism usually produces quick fatigue and many health complications.
Remember that metabolism influences the energy needs, while it's the food intake and extent of physical activity that determine the weight.
Calorie Loss as Key to Weight Loss
The concrete step to loose weight is by influencing the voluntary actions that need calories. The basal metabolism rate and food processing requirements are not much prone to be affected. However with daily exercise one can build muscles tissues and burn more calories every day than they consume.
Regular aerobic exercise, fitness exercise and out door activities are great way to burn extra calories. They would ensure that with a normal metabolism rate you loose weight and avoid fat.
It is advisable to stay away from products that claim to reduce weight by increasing metabolism rate. They have least chances to meet their claims and even be counter productive with various side effects.
Next>>Lipid MetabolismYou may also like to know about Diet Tips and Weight Loss Tips