Our bodies are in a constant struggle to find homeostasis – or balance. It has to perform hundreds of maneuvers each day to get to this balance.
For example, sugar which is found in the blood is necessary for daily living. Our bodies must maintain a proper balance of it – too much and it must secrete insulin, and too little and our liver has to goes to work converting glycogen to sugar.
Some common things that affects the way we metabolize food
One of the prime directives of our bodies is to metabolize foods as efficiently as possible. It does this by regularly analyzing and adjusting how it uses the types of food you give it and when it’s delivered – what hormones to secrete? how much energy is needed? what to do with the excess sugars? etc . . .
- It takes into account how active we are during the day.
If you live a sedentary lifestyle – sitting at a desk for most of the day, or spending hours in front of the TV – then your caloric needs should be reduced. Conversely, if you tend to be active during the day then you must to increase food consumption to supply the energy needed. Your body must adjust for this.
- The times of the day – and even of the week – when we eat directly affects the way our bodies burn calories.
The ideal meal plan should guide you to eat a nourishing meal 3 to 4 times per day . . . at the same time each day. Your body becomes use to this schedule. However, for many of us this is just not possible, for varying reasons. As a result our bodies are in a constant need to find balance.
- Age
As we age our metabolism naturally slows down, and since we are not burning fuel as we did in our younger years, weight-gain becomes an issue . . . especially in our mid-years ( forty to fifty). In this case it become necessary to reduce and improve the types of food eaten. Gone should be the days of coffee and a bagel for breakfast and two slices of pizza and a fizzy drink for lunch.
- Another big impact on our metabolism is the state of our well-being.
When our bodies breakdown because of illnesses – diabetes chief among them – it needs to redirect a lot of energy to fight that illness. As the ultimate multi-tasker, it must contend with metabolizing foods and fending off diseases, in addition to its many other ‘must-do-list’.
Other effects on our metabolism
- Certain illness requires medication which also affects the way we break food down.
- Being stressed can result in energy being re-targeted to our fight or flight mode – mentally and physically.
- Lack of proper sleep-time will negatively affect the way our bodies process nutrition.
- If you are over-weight or obese your body has to work harder to use and store the foods you give it.
Use these fixes to stop ‘out-of-control-weight-gain’ . . .
Improve your metabolism by identifying those habits or conditions, which causes it to slow down.
- At the top of the list should be to – improve your food selection.
You have control over the foods you eat. Each and every time you put something in your mouth you made that selection from the available choices. Proper food choices include – eating more fibrous foods. We need about 25 grams of it per day. A good way to start your day is with a bowl of steel-cut oats for breakfast. I eat several types of fruits throughout the day to fulfill my fiber requirements.
I am guilty of neglecting to do this one important step. There is a wealth of information on all packaged foods. Understand the value that each food group will contribute to your health and well-being.
- Become more active to ward off illnesses as we age and as a bonus maintain a youthful appearance.
The aging process changes the rate at which we metabolize foods. To increase our metabolism at this stage in our lives start doing a consistent exercise routine five days per week. Be sure to add weight-lifting to your routine since the more muscle you can maintain the better you are able to shed excess calories . . . even while resting.
Being in a constant stressful state will cause your body to move nutrients to other parts of your body to fight that stress.
Things like – family crisis, divorce, having demanding or overbearing parents, personal issues such as loss of a job or death of a loved one and being bullied – are all contributing factors to stress. Seek professional help if necessary. Being stress-free makes you look younger.
- I do intermittent fasting to give my body a rest from eating in-order that it can properly metabolize whats already in my system.
There are other things you can do – like eat more quality protein and less carbs and improve the quality of fats you put in your body. Also going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day gets your body in a healthy rhythm.
You will hardly find content like this anymore. I remember when you could find a few posts like this in minutes but now it’s much more difficult.