What Causes Slow Metabolism

Metabolism is a chemical reaction that converts food to energy.  If you have been told that your metabolism “runs slow”, the following could be some of the reasons:

•         Genetics – Heredity guides a great deal of how we are put together.  You can't change them. However, you can change the expression of your genes to some extent. For example, you can change your metabolic rate by increasing your exercise.  It doesn't need to be all at once.  Walking for only 15 minutes twice a day would be a great start!

•         Hormones – There are a number of glands in the body that release hormones.  That includes the thyroid and the pancreas.  The best thing is to have a medical check-up to be sure everything is working as it should.  Hormonal imbalance could greatly affect metabolic rate along with many functions of your body. Stress also affects metabolism

•         Sleep – or, the lack of sleep, is the culprit.  Most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night.  If you are short on sleep, especially if it is because of insomnia, it can increase the likelihood of insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity.  If you have difficulty falling asleep, try some meditation.  There are a number of phone apps that are available that can help you relax and get the restorative sleep you need to function physically and mentally well.

•         Diets – If you don't eat enough, your body will go into survival mode and slow your metabolic rate down.  The result is that you actually hold onto those calories you are trying to rid yourself of.  In addition, if you are hungry, you won't function well by being tired or irritable.  The solution is to keep your dietary needs reasonable. 

•         Water – Staying hydrated is part of your body's regulatory system.  There are studies that show that water will help you burn energy.  Sip on plain water through the day, iced or not.  You can also increase your consumption of water-rich foods like cucumbers and watermelon.

•         Calcium – Calcium is necessary for good bone health but it also gives the body small heat boosts to stimulate the metabolism.  There are a number of organic methods to get your daily calcium requirements like dark green vegetables (greens and kale), tofu, salmon, and dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt).

•         Some Medications will affect your metabolism. You should discuss it with your clinician if that is the case.

If you have any questions about metabolism and ways to lose weight in a healthy way, find an obesity specialist near you.