6 Signs Your Metabolism Might Be Broken
When your metabolism isn't working right, it can start to show through signs and symptoms. Everybody's different, but common red flags are:
Fatigue: Feeling extra tired or lethargic can be a sign that your body isn't efficiently converting food into energy.
Weight Changes: Difficulty losing weight or unexpected weight gain, despite maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, can be a sign of a slow metabolism.
Cold Sensitivity: If you're consistently feeling cold, it could be a sign that your metabolism isn't generating enough heat to maintain your body's normal temperature.
Dry Skin and Hair: A slow metabolism may affect your skin and hair health, leading to dryness due to reduced blood flow and nutrient distribution.
Slow Healing: When your metabolism isn't optimal, it might slow down the body's repair processes, leading to slower healing of wounds.
Constipation: Since metabolism also affects digestion, experiencing regular constipation can be a sign of a sluggish metabolic rate.
Wait. What is a Metabolism, Anyway? Metabolism is your body's way of converting food into the energy you need to power through everything from a tough workout to a Netflix binge. But it's not just about burning calories; it's about how efficiently your body performs this process.
Look Under The Hood: Certain foods and dietary patterns could be slowing down your metabolism over time, impacting your body composition, blood sugar levels, and overall health.
Here are some types of foods and eating habits that might be putting sand in your gas tank:
Highly Processed Foods: These often contain a high amount of sugars, unhealthy fats, and calories with little nutritional value. Regular consumption can lead to weight gain and reduced insulin sensitivity, potentially slowing metabolism.
Sugary Beverages: Drinks high in sugar, such as sodas and some fruit juices, can spike blood sugar levels and lead to weight gain over time, possibly affecting metabolic rate.
Low-Protein Diets: Protein has a high thermogenic effect, meaning it requires more energy for digestion, absorption, and processing compared to fats and carbohydrates. A diet low in protein might slow down metabolism as it contributes to muscle mass loss, especially if calorie intake is also low.
Trans Fats: Found in some processed and fried foods, trans fats can increase unhealthy fat deposits and reduce muscle mass, potentially leading to a slower metabolism.
Refined Carbohydrates: Foods like white bread, pastries, and other refined carbs can cause quick spikes in blood sugar, leading to insulin resistance over time and potentially slowing metabolism.
BONUS – Too Much Omega 6 Fatty Acids: To support metabolic health and overall well-being, it's crucial to balance the intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Oils like canola, sunflower, soy and corn are some of the worst offenders, but nut and seed butters can also become a problem.
We are complex organisms, and this is a top-level view of one area that we're still studying to understand.
Little changes can make a big impact over time, so really look at what you're putting in your tank on a daily basis and you'll be firing on all cylinders in no time.
Burning for you,
Your West Coast Fitness Family
PS: Next week, we'll drop part 2 to tell you the best ways to fire up your metabolism. See you around!
