For the ancient Greeks the metabolism definition was called “metaballein,” meaning to change. Its origin supports the idea that the foods we eat power our cells for everything a person does, including breathing, moving, thinking, and sleeping. Metabolism is how the body powers itself. Understanding metabolism is something every human being should understand for whichever purpose. Whether you are trying to lose weight, build muscle, gain energy, or want better health and wellness, understanding metabolism is the starting point of understanding the human body. Defining metabolism can be a very complex issue that most people don’t understand and haven’t taken the time to research and learn. This article will help.
Metabolism can be defined as the power that drives life and can be examined from the cellular and molecular levels. Metabolism exists among all living things, from plants, fungi, and bacteria to animals and humans. All living matter is made up of molecules called proteins, which support and coordinate movement – a process defined as metabolism.
For human beings, metabolism is focused on how our cells transform the food we eat into the energy we use each second of our lives. Thousands of metabolic reactions happen simultaneously to keep our cells healthy and functioning. When thinking about the metabolism definition, you must focus on simultaneously balancing the act metabolism goes through. There are two processes to being knowledgeable. These processes are anabolism and catabolism.
Anabolism is a constructive metabolism process designed to build, store and support the growth of new cells for future use. In anabolism, small molecules transform into more complex molecules of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Alternatively, catabolism is destructive metabolism and is the process that energizes all activity in the cells. To release energy, cells break down large molecules. This enables the muscles to contract and the body to move.
Many people study the metabolism definition for weight loss or gain. We all want to slim down or bulk up to be in the best physical shape. The endeavor of “looking great” and dieting often leads to calories or counting and monitoring caloric intake—calories measure how much energy food provides to the body. Counting calories depending on your personal health goals and understanding the metabolism definition is essential. In addition to counting calories, you must know how they are used, how they are needed, and how to burn them when necessary to reach personal health goals.
Now that we’ve outlined the metabolism definition, we must look at how to use it to our health advantage. Can metabolism be changed or altered? The answer is yes! Many people ignore the metabolism definition in weight loss. Weight control is much easier and more effective with a higher metabolism.
Here are three tips on how you can speed it up. First, get lots of exercise. Going to the gym for a good workout builds muscle and will help alter the metabolism. Muscle speeds the metabolism causing the body works more efficiently to process food faster and increase appetite. Secondly, eat right! Generally, eat meals 3-4 hours apart. When eating more efficiently, the body sustains energy throughout the day, causing fewer stresses such as headaches, hunger pains, or volatile mood swings. Lastly, pay close attention to what you consume. “You are what you eat” is accurate, and what you use to fuel your body dictates the metabolism and overall health and well-being, including your mood. This will affect whether you feel energetic, sluggish, moody, etc. Foods high in sugar, saturated fats, artificial sweeteners and low in water and fiber will slow digestion and cause weight gain.
If you are concerned about your overall health and well-being, pay close attention to the metabolism definition and how it applies to you. The more you learn and understand, the better off you will be.
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