Your Metabolism Explained

The term “metabolism” simply refers to our body’s process of taking the foods and drinks we consume and transforming them into energy. This process never stops, regardless of our own activity or conscious state. Whether we are in the peak of a high-intensity exercise or in the deepest stage of sleep, our metabolisms are constantly at work in making the conversion of nutrients and oxygen into energy.

This brief description lends itself to a variety of questions. Is there a link between weight and metabolism? How about between a person’s muscle or fat levels and their metabolic rate? At what age are our metabolisms fastest–and when are they slowest? Can lifestyle changes make an impact on our metabolisms, or are they genetically predisposed?

Before exploring the ways our metabolisms evolve as we go through life, let’s knock some of these FAQs out of the way.

Metabolism FAQ

Age and Its Impact

Why do our metabolisms begin to slow down significantly as soon as one year into toddlerhood, and how does age have a demonstrable impact on our metabolic rates? Once you hit your 20s, your metabolic rate decreases by roughly 3-5% every decade. By age 30, many adults feel a difference in their ability to lose weight, as well as their physical stamina and activity levels. This, of course, does not apply to all adults–especially those who maintain professional or semi-professional fitness routines throughout their late 20s and early 30s.

By their 50s, however, even the most athletic individuals experience significant changes in not just their physical performance capabilities, but in their metabolic rates. This is due to a variety of reasons. First up is the fact that every body undergoes sarcopenia, a process during which it will lose muscle mass as it ages naturally. As the muscle mass decreases, fat begins to form instead. As we discussed above, bodies with lower muscle densities have lower metabolic rates.

With age come both physical and lifestyle contributions to decreased levels of physical activity. As individuals become busier with children, careers, and daily responsibilities, they may have less time to dedicate to building or maintaining muscle, which can lead to a slower metabolism.

There are, of course, factors beyond our control that may also contribute to our metabolic rates. Generally speaking, males have faster metabolism than females, as male bodies are capable of putting on more muscle mass than female bodies.

What Can We Do?

There comes a point in our lives where we are unable to undo the natural course of our metabolic rates. It is an inescapable fact that our metabolisms will slow down with age. However, that by no means indicates that we must consequently become unhealthy or inactive. In fact, it makes it that much more important to prioritize physical activity and healthy eating.

As our metabolisms slow down, it becomes crucial to eat well-balanced, nutrient-rich foods that promote gut health and nourish our bodies. It’s also fundamental to continue exercising, whether that means a long daily walk, strength training, dance lessons, or anything else that captures your interest.

Ultimately, however, the best thing you can do for your body is understand its unique needs. Functional nutritional testing is a great way to start the process of understanding what that means for your body.

Finding Your Fit

At Robinson MD, we believe that treatment should be tailored to the unique needs of every patient, which is why we place such an emphasis on functional nutritional testing as a means by which to better understand your metabolic needs. To learn more about how to optimize your lifestyle based on your personal metabolism, schedule a consultation with us.