Different metabolism types can affect weight management and overall wellness strategies. The following is a discussion of metabolism meaning, as well as the different signs of a fast metabolism or slow metabolism. For in-depth information about metabolic function and how it influences human health, you can buy Metabolism & Medicine here. Learn more about the intersection of metabolic performance and modern physics in volume one and volume two of Dr. Brian Fertig’s groundbreaking work on the metabolic landscape of health and disease.
We often mention metabolism types when discussing subjects relating to health, weight management, nutrition, and the onset of age-related medical conditions. We might have a fast metabolism, a slow metabolism, or a thoroughly average metabolism, but metabolism meaning is, in fact, extremely complex and affects far more than our ability to stay slim. Metabolism is a sequence of biological responses that manage the way a living organism generates energy for its basic functions.
While there is a genetic element to metabolic efficiency, metabolism is affected by behavioral, medical, and environmental factors, too. Humans have a measure of control over metabolism types.
Metabolism Meaning: What Is Metabolism?
Whether you are awake or asleep, walking or running, your metabolism is always at work to supply you with the energy you need to function. The body generates energy from the nutrients in the foods you eat, and energy that isn’t used to power your body is stored as fat.
Among the body’s largest organs are the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys, which are responsible for roughly half of the body’s resting energy. Muscle tissue, fatty tissue, and the digestive tract account for the other half.
Metabolic processes are divided into two functions:
- Anabolism: The process by which energy is stored and cells and bodily tissues are maintained.
- Catabolism: The process by which energy is used to facilitate motion and bodily functions.
There is a tendency to attribute difficulties with weight management to slow metabolism. Nevertheless, weight management is a multifaceted process that includes physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and hormones.
What is a slow metabolism?
In simplest terms, someone with a slow metabolism expends less energy at rest and while they are active, so they have to eat less to prevent weight gain.
An insufficient amount of exercise in conjunction with a low energy requirement leads to a slow metabolism. When you consume an excessive amount of caloric energy, your body stores it as fat.
What is a fast metabolism?
A fast metabolism, on the other hand, means that a person’s body uses a large amount of caloric energy to perform basic functions.
There are certain factors that influence metabolism types. They include:
- Diet
- Exercise
- Genes
- Sleep quality
The amount of energy you require depends on a number of inherited influences. Muscle mass is greater in larger people, which requires additional calories. Metabolism is also affected by dietary factors — protein requires more energy to digest than carbohydrates, for example.
One of the most significant factors in metabolic efficiency is activity. People who are more physically active throughout the day use more calories than people who are sedentary.
If you have concerns about your metabolism type, you should consult with a physician who specializes in metabolic health.
Dr. Brian Fertig, the author of Metabolism & Medicine, is the founder and president of The Diabetes & Osteoporosis Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. Dr. Fertig is also Chairman of the Department of Endocrinology at JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey and Associate Professor of Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson University School of Medicine.