We've all heard of metabolism, especially related to weight loss. There are always ads for products that supposedly "increase metabolism for weight loss!". But what is metabolism really?
Metabolism
Metabolism is what keeps us alive and functioning! It's a combination of thousands of complex chemical reactions from breaking food down to creating new tissues such as replacing dead skin. There are 2 categories of metabolism: anabolism and catabolism.
Catabolism
Catabolism is breaking down molecules, think of cats destroying things. This is where molecules you've eaten are broken down into useful molecules and as a byproduct, heat is produced which keeps us warm! Along with the heat, energy in the form of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is produced. This is the currency of bodily processes! It allows us to have thoughts, move and function. This is the process that uses calories. When we eat, those calories are used to break down food molecules and release energy that will be used by anabolism.
Anabolism
In these processes, new larger, complex molecules are built from smaller simpler molecules in the body. For example, the amino acids building blocks from the breaking down of protein from a meal is used to make new muscle proteins!
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the measurement of energy used by a person while at rest. It differs depending on someone's muscle mass, fat composition and physical fitness. Someone with larger muscle mass and who is physically fit will have a larger BMR and require more energy to just rest versus someone who has little muscle mass or does not frequently exercise. BMR defines the relationship between someone's metabolism and body mass.
It can be used to measure total daily energy expenditure which can help track how much energy you use each day vs how much energy you consume through food each day. Energy in < Energy Out = weight loss.
Now that we know what metabolism is, keep a lookout for future posts on increasing metabolism!
Resources
Hulbert, A. J., & Else, P. L. (2004). Basal Metabolic Rate: History, Composition, Regulation, and Usefulness. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 77(6), 869–876. https://doi.org/10.1086/422768
Nemours’ KidsHealth. (2019, July). Metabolism (for Teens) - Nemours KidsHealth. KidsHealth from Nemours. https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/metabolism.html
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