Some Facts About Metabolism and Weight Loss

Facts About Metabolism and Weight Loss

If you’ve struggled with weight loss, you have perhaps blamed it on your metabolism. But what exactly is metabolism and how does it work? In today’s blog, the experts at Dynamic DNA Labs take a look at facts about metabolism and weight loss.

What is Metabolism?

The term metabolism actually refers to all the processes in the body that use energy. However, the word is most commonly used when we talk about weight. When someone references a slow or fast metabolism, they’re usually referring to their ability to lose weight or maintain a normal weight. What most people don’t realize is that their gender, daily habits, and even health conditions can affect their metabolism.  

Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)

What most people are interested in is their RMR, which is the number of calories you burn while just sitting around. Online calculators can estimate your RMR, but they don’t consider your muscle to fat ratio. If you’re interested in a more accurate figure, consult your doctor for a calorimeter test, which measures the amount of carbon dioxide you breathe out, to determine your RMR.

Protein Can Boost Metabolism

There are some superfoods proven to increase metabolism, and protein is a nutrient that actually may increase the number of calories you burn. In fact, a 2012 study showed that people who were fed more calories than they needed tend to have higher RMRs when they followed a normal or high-protein diet.

Metabolism Busters

Most people know to stay away from doughnuts and sodas when trying to lose weight, but other simple carbohydrates like white bread and crackers can slow weight loss. When you eat them, your insulin levels rise. The insulin then encourages the body to store sugar for later use as fat. Choose high-quality carbohydrates, like vegetables, fruits, beans, and legumes.

Men Tend to Have Higher Metabolism

Men usually have more muscle mass and higher levels of testosterone, both of which influence the burning of calories. A recent study showed that men who were placed on a specific weight loss regimen lost twice as much weight as women on the regimen during the first two months of the study.

Dynamic DNA Can Help

If you have questions about your nutrition traits, Dynamic DNA Laboratories can help. We can test for antioxidant levels, detoxification levels, blood sugar levels, metabolic rates and so much more. At Dynamic DNA labs, our experts can help you on the road to weight loss and guide you in a happier, healthier lifestyle. Contact us today for more information.