As we age, our metabolism slows for sure. However, there are reasons why some might have more sluggish metabolism than others. According to Webster, metabolism is the chemical and physical processes continuously going on in living organisms. Unfortunately, not all of us living organisms have metabolisms that process continuously, at the same. Some have fast ones, others slow.
Anyway, there are 4 common reasons why you might suffer from Sluggish Metabolism, and here they are..
1. Missed Meals
You need to cut calories to lose weight, but it’s important not to overdo it. Going too low delivers a double whammy to your metabolism. When you eat less than you need for basic biological function (about 2,000 calories for most women), your body throws the brakes on your metabolism. It also begins to break down precious, calorie-burning muscle tissue for energy which will in turn make your metabolism sluggish. Eat just enough so you’re not hungry — a 150-calorie snack mid morning and midafternoon between three meals (about 430 calories each) will keep your metabolism humming. By eating a meal every 3 to 4 hours, you’ll stay satisfied and keep from overeating later in the day.
2. Drug Therapy
Some oral contraceptive (OC) pills can actually cause weight gain, usually due to water retention. For example, Diane 35 has been known to cause a lot more weight gain from water retention, than the newer generation OC – Yaz. Weight gain is also a possible side effect of nearly all antidepressants. However, each person responds to an antidepressant differently. Some people gain weight when taking a certain antidepressant while others don’t. While some people gain weight after starting an antidepressant, the antidepressant isn’t always a direct cause. There are many factors that can work together to contribute to weight gain during antidepressant therapy. For example, overeating as a result of depression can cause weight gain. A healthy lifestyle free of drugs is of course the best solution to the problem but not always the most practical. Consult your doctor to help tailor the right regimen for you.
3. Smoking Cessation
Smoking is horrible for every part of you except your metabolism, which it tends to rev up initially. Your body is forced to expend extra energy trying to detoxify itself from the chemicals. Unfortunately, this is a big part of why people get fat after quitting. As soon as you quit, your metabolism drops significantly causing the weight to pile on. To help offset the metabolic dip, exercise and chew a combination of Nicorette and Jolt gums. Research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that men who chewed nicotine gum (2 milligrams) spiked with 100 mg caffeine experienced a 10 percent increase in metabolism.
4. Hormone Shortage
When your thyroid gland doesn’t pump out enough of its namesake hormone, your metabolism is forced to downshift. This is called hypothyroidism, and it slows almost every metabolic process, including calorie burning. The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary widely, depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency. But in general, any problems you do have tend to develop slowly, often over a number of years. At first, you may barely notice the symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue and sluggishness, or you may simply attribute them to getting older. But as your metabolism continues to slow, you may develop more obvious signs and symptoms. Hypothyroidism signs and symptom may include, fatigue, sluggishness, increased sensitivity to cold, pale/ puffy face, constipation and hoarse voice.
Lethargy and weight gain are two of the most common symptoms, but a definitive diagnosis requires a blood test of your thyroid-stimulating hormone. Anything more than 4 milli-international units per liter is trouble and may mean you need a prescription for synthetic thyroid hormone. See your doctor if you’re feeling tired for no reason or have any of the other signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as dry skin, a pale, puffy face, constipation or a hoarse voice.
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