Metabolism refers to the sum of chemical reactions within each cell of a living organism, which provides energy for vital processes and the synthesis of new organic materials. These chemical reactions allow organisms to grow and reproduce as well as respond to the external environment. Metabolism is generally divided into catabolism and anabolism. Catabolism breaks down large molecules for energy (such as cellular respiration), while anabolism uses energy to synthesize various components of cells, such as proteins and nucleic acids. Metabolism can be thought of as the process by which an organism constantly exchanges matter and energy. Once the exchange stops, organism structure disintegrates.
Functions of Metabolism
The three main functions of metabolism are as follows.
- Eliminating metabolic wastes.
- Converting the energy in food to the energy that can be used to run cellular processes.
- Converting food into building blocks for proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and some carbohydrates.
Influencing Factors of Metabolism
Influencing factors of metabolism mainly include the following aspects:
- Age: As you get older, your metabolism slows down.
- Sex: Males tend to have a faster metabolism than females.
- Sleep: Sleep deprivation causes a decrease in resting metabolic rate.
- Muscle mass: People with more muscle mass often have a faster metabolism that burn more calories.
How to Increase Metabolism?
Although several factors affect metabolism to some extent, metabolism is largely out of a person's control. That's because basal metabolic rate, or resting energy expenditure, makes up about 70% of metabolism. This includes all normal cellular functions occurring without conscious participation, such as breathing, pumping blood, and a working of brain and nervous system. Another 10% of energy is used to digest food. Physical activity accounts for the remaining 20%. This includes not just voluntary exercise but maintaining your posture. Although metabolism can not be changed drastically, some methods still can help people to increase metabolism.
- Build more muscle: Muscle is more metabolically active tissue. Therefore, building more muscle is benefit to increase metabolism.
- Get enough rest: Sleep deprivation can lower your metabolism, Therefore, getting enough rest is benefit to increase metabolism.
- Eat enough food: Fasting or extremely low-calorie diets can decrease basal metabolism. Therefore, eating enough food is benefit to increase metabolism. Of course, eating too much is unhealthy.
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