Metabolism is a collection of chemical reactions that takes place in your body’s cells converting the food we eat into the energy we need to perform every single task we do, from moving to thinking to growing. Thousands of metabolic reactions are happening all at the same time which are all regulated by the body to keep our cells healthy and working properly.
The term ‘metabolic rate’ refers to the energy (calories) you expend over a day just to keep your body functioning – your heart beating and your lungs breathing, for example. This is often called the basal or resting metabolic rate (BMR).
A person with high metabolism is someone that has a relatively high BMR, compared to someone with low metabolism. A high metabolism means that, relative to a low metabolism, more calories must be burned to meet life sustaining energy requirements. People with high metabolisms burn more calories while at rest than people with low metabolisms.
While this could be interpreted to mean that modification of your metabolism is the solution to weight gain, weight loss, or weight maintenance efforts, it is important to understand that your metabolism does not dictate your weight. Rather, your metabolism simply determines the most substantial proportion of your daily calorie requirements.
Instead of attempting to modify your metabolism to achieve a desired weight gain or weight loss goal, the recommended and more effective approach from health care professionals is to adapt your calorie intake and your level of physical activity to achieve your goal.
For more information on your metabolic rate, talk to your health care professional.
