There are those of us who eat clean and train regularly to maintain weight and avoid obesity. We eat lean proteins, complex carbs, and forgo heavy starch, fatty foods, burgers, pizza, ice cream and the like. Then, there are those who can eat anything and everything and burn it up due to a high metabolism.
If you’re the former, you may think that having that fast metabolism is a gift. What’s better than eating whatever you want and still staying lean? However, nothing in life is perfect, even an 800-degree metabolism. It is truly a gift and a curse. Let’s examine some high metabolism failures.
HIGH METABOLISMS CAN HAVE MEDICAL SIDE EFFECTS
People with high metabolisms burn calories from food faster than others. These individuals may eat more to maintain weight or eat less healthy calorie dense foods simply to compensate hunger. This can cause complications such as blood sugar irregularities, irregular heartbeat, and mood issues.
Eating too many unhealthy sources of fat can lead to cardiovascular issues. Though the calories may not impact you in weight gain, the unhealthful factors of foods can still cause coronary damage as well as high blood pressure and rises in bad cholesterol levels. While there is no caloric impact, there is still a health impact. The same holds true for risks of diabetes and metabolic disorders due to excess simple carbohydrates.
Even if you don’t store fat as a result of what you eat, you still need to take nutrition into consideration. Assure you eat quality sources of protein, complex carbohydrates that have the fiber intact, poly and monounsaturated fats, and vegetables that provide essential vitamins and minerals.
To eat healthy, consider following a diet similar to those who need to control weight but aim for 2-2.5 grams carbs per pound of bodyweight. This will help keep you full and avoid over eating.
A HIGH METABOLISM MAY AGE YOU FASTER
There is a long held belief within the medical community that energy expenditure can be linked to aging. The belief is similar to that of machines in that a machine that runs faster and more frequently will wear out faster. Though the relation of resting metabolic rate and aging are debatable, a 2002 study concluded that the idea daily energy expenditure affects rate of living is supported.
There is also concern that a higher metabolic rate as it relates to faster energy turnover can cause greater free radical production that damages cells.
A study done by researchers from The National Institute of Health followed two groups with varying metabolic rates for a span of fifteen years. During the study 27 deaths occurred due to natural causes, however the researchers concluded that a slower metabolic rate can increase longevity.
This of course is not to say that those with faster metabolisms are more at risk for death. There is evidence though that cellular damage can result from a faster energy expenditure. This is why it is vital for those with faster metabolisms to eat enough antioxidant rich foods.
Exercise is also a vital component. While exercise does burn calories, exercise has an effect on resting metabolic rate through increases in lean muscle mass. Furthermore, exercise has been proven to increase life expectancy.
THAT HIGH METABOLISM TODAY MIGHT SLOW TOMORROW
Metabolism can naturally slow as a result of aging. Ask any forty year old if he can still eat what he did when he was twenty. According to Peter LePort, MD, medical director of the Memorial Care Center for Obesity at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Southern California “It’s usually after the age of 30, but most people really notice it around 40.”
This can also be related to the fact that many people decrease their physical activity as they age. The body compensates for everything, including energy needs. You may not control your base metabolic rate, but you do control your energy expenditure and needs.
Dr. Scott Kahan, Director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness stated “after the age of 25, which is the age where we stop growing bone, the metabolic rate goes down by 2 percent or more per decade. So, in order to stay at the same weight without a change to your level of activity, you would have to cut your daily calories by the same amount.” However, it a smarter choice to increase your level of activity as regular exercise throughout life has been proven to increase longevity, prevent disease, and prevent mobility problems.
Remember chronological and physical age are not one in the same.
HIGH METABOLISM CONSIDERATIONS
- It may be hard for those with higher metabolisms to put on muscle mass.
- Pregnant women need to gain weight as a biological component to carrying a developing child.
Tim
Leave a Reply