There are specific foods that help to speed metabolism and also burn fat according to many, as mentioned on previous posts. However, all foods speed metabolism, also mentioned previously. Generally, the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life, refers to metabolism. Here Christine Byrne, MensHealth.com, reflects on boosting metabolism:

“Metabolism” is one of those buzz words that gets thrown around a lot.

Effortlessly thin people, for example, are often said to be blessed with “fast metabolisms.” And, the key to weight loss is to “boost your metabolism“…right?

Kind of. But that’s easier said than done, friend.

First things first: What exactly is your metabolism?

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Basically, your metabolism is all the energy (a.k.a. calories) that you burn every day.

But burning calories doesn’t just happen when you exercise—you burn calories every minute as your body keeps you alive, says Abbie E. Smith-Ryan, Ph.D., CSCS*D, associate professor and director of the applied physiology laboratory at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

That means all of your body’s processes, voluntary or not, contribute to your metabolism—everything from digesting food to breathing to punching out a text message on your phone.

 

Your metabolism is made up of 3 factors.

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#1. Basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is the number of calories your body burns just to stay alive—i.e., keeping your organs and bodily functions working properly, and turning food into usable energy—and it accounts for about 70 percent of your metabolism, says Smith-Ryan. 

#2. Non-exercise adaptive thermogenesis (NEAT), which is all the calories you burn by doing things like fidgeting or shivering, she explains. It accounts for about 20 percent of your metabolism, and it can vary from day to day depending on things like what you’re doing or what you’re eating.

#3. Actual exercise. But that only accounts for about 10 percent of most people’s metabolisms, adds Smith-Ryan.

It’s possible to make your metabolism work more efficiently.

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So, yes, you can “boost” your metabolism, but it’s going to take work, starting with your diet.

Remember the part of your metabolism—your BMR—that burns calories just to keep you alive? Part of that is influenced by how much energy your body expends digesting the food that you eat—and some foods take more energy to digest than others.

“Protein burns more calories than carbs and fat,” explains Erik Bustillo, R.D., L/DN, CISSN, CPT.. About 30 percent of the calories in protein go toward its digestion and absorption, whereas that number is only about 10 percent for carbs, and even less for fats.

Fiber’s another nutrient that costs a little more energy, says Bustillo—so, getting adequate protein and fiber can definitely help maximize your BMR, and hence, your metabolism.

Of course, doesn’t mean you should shun fat and other carbs—you need a balance of all three to keep your body functioning properly.

Also important: While no vitamin or nutrient has the power to increase your BMR on its own, being deficient in any of the essential vitamins and nutrients can have a negative effect.”

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Read More … Article Source: https://www.menshealth.com/weight-loss/a23133210/what-is-metabolism/

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