As we age our metabolism appears to slow down resulting in difficulty losing weight. Is our metabolism alone to blame or are the aging processes in our bodies degrading the effectiveness of our metabolism?
We cannot expect our body’s metabolism to work at full efficiency if other processes in our bodies are out of kilter. Nutrient deficiency, poor quality sleep, toxins, hormone imbalance, and more can disrupt many of our normal processes.
Let us assume that you are healthy and a bit overweight. You sleep well and you have a healthy lifestyle. You avoid toxins and eat healthy foods. What can you do to increase your metabolic rate so that you can burn more fat?
Some foods naturally increase your metabolism. They are oolong tea, ginger, fish oil (EPA and DHA), fucoxanthin, green tea, capsaicin, pomegranate seed oil, conjugated linoleic acid, and more. Hormone levels affect weight loss as much as, or, in some cases, more than metabolism.
Muscle mass increases metabolism. Thyroxin, the main hormone secreted by the thyroid regulates metabolism. Thyroid levels control metabolism. The thyroid can be the reason you are gaining weight or losing weight. Iodine is critical for thyroid function.
Coconut oil increases low levels of iodine as does intense exercise and seaweed extract. We need a nutritional balance for health. Vitamin D is deficient in many of us. Vitamin D is crucial for thyroid health.
The sex hormones testosterone and estrogen have significant effects on body fat storage, especially around the middle of the body. Exercise, diet, and other activities appear not to work at getting rid of those extra few inches that plague many of us over 40 years of age.
Aromatase is an enzyme. It changes testosterone into estradiol and androstenedione into estrone. There are three types of estrogen – estrone, estradiol, and estriol. Androstenedione is a steroid hormone produced by both men and women. All hormones need to be in balance.
When hormones are in balance, they provide healthy protections the body needs. When out of balance, many strange health issues happen that at times are difficult to diagnose and correct. Aromatase converts testosterone into other hormones, causing an imbalance. Fat is a normal byproduct of aromatase. Aromatase increases as you gain more fat – a vicious circle!
What can you do about the increasing amounts of the enzyme aromatase? There are natural aromatase inhibitors which can reduce estrogen and increase testosterone. Vitamin C is a natural aromatase enzyme inhibitor as is white button mushrooms, indole-3-carbinols (cruciferous vegetables), chrysin, apigenin, genistein, and daidzein.
Fat burning is not a simple process in the body. Many things must be in concert to effectively burn fat. Balanced nutrition and caloric restriction are two pillars that help to stabilize our health. Balanced nutrition addresses the thirty-plus nutrients the body needs daily.
Caloric restriction is defined as ten calories per pound of body weight. Nutritionists tell us to eat fifteen calories to maintain one pound of body weight. Eating ten calories of balanced nutrition improves longevity and reduces the risks of age-related diseases. It also helps your body to burn fat better.
Live Longer & Enjoy Life! – Red O’Laughlin – RedOLaughlin.com
