Slow metabolism is often linked to weight problems and lack of energy during daily activities. In this article we will discuss the different aspects of metabolism. What is causing slow and fast metabolism? How the speed of metabolism affects different parts of our lives? How do you increase your metabolism? And how you can fix some of the metabolism related problems just by drinking fresh organic juices?
What is Metabolism?
Metabolism is a series of actions that occur in our bodies and result in converting the food we consume into energy.
There are two parts to this process:
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- The Anabolism:
The process that takes the created energy to construct cells and repair our body.
- The Catabolism:
The process in which the food we eat and drink is broken down into simpler units and converted into energy.
Fast Metabolism Vs. Slow Metabolism
Some people have slow metabolism while others can brag about their high metabolism. Is fast metabolism really a reason for bragging? Obesity and extra weight is not something people with fast metabolism should be concerned with.
The speed of metabolism is responsible for how our organism is able to obtain food. It is determined by a metabolic rate. Metabolic rate is affected by height, composition, sex and age of each person.
Although many people will assume that fast metabolism is always a desired one. There are health problems caused by high metabolic rate. Being underweight and having trouble gaining muscle are some of the common disorders experienced by people with high metabolism.
Who Needs a Metabolism Boost?
Although there are obvious disadvantages to having high metabolism, people struggling with extra weight are in search for metabolism boosting solutions. For them, faster metabolic rate will mean that they will burn more calories. More burned calories can obviously lead to loosing extra weight.
What Slows Your Metabolism?
Different factors affect our metabolism. Recent research conducted in Columbus, Ohio revealed that stress can also have an influence on our metabolic rate. Other known factors are poor diet, lack of exercise and extreme environmental temperatures.
How Do You Increase Your Metabolism?
While it is hard to control the temperature of our environment and the amount of stress we are faced with, diet and exercise is something we can adjust.
Introducing healthy fresh organic juices into your life can be a great jump start for your metabolism. Juices are easily absorbed by our bodies. They are quickly converted into nutrients and vitamins our body can use without pressuring our digestive system. Since digestion is a big part of metabolic process, just drinking fresh organic juices will contribute to increasing the speed of metabolism.
Dehydration has a negative effect on metabolism. Keeping you hydrated is listed among enormous amounts of juicing benefits.
Some fruits and vegetables stimulate circulation and oxygen levels more than others. Some of them are rich in vitamins that positively affect the metabolic process. Those fruits and vegetables considered to be natural metabolism boosters. Use those "right" fruits and vegetables in your juices and you will increase the positive effect those juices have on the speed of your metabolism.
It is important to incorporate fresh juices as part of your daily lifestyle. Do not substitute your ordinary meals with them. Starving yourself will only have a negative effect on your metabolism. Not consuming enough food will signal the body that it needs to preserve the energy for later.
Vitamins for Metabolism
Having enough Folic Acid, Thiamin, Niacin, Iron, Potassium, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 will contribute to an efficiently working metabolism.
- B Complex Vitamins:
The complex includes the 8 B vitamins: Folate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and biotin. Those vitamins support the functions of eco-enzymes. Those are involved in reactions that convert food to energy.
- Iron:
Iron takes a major part in transporting oxygen to different organs in our bodies. Low iron levels cause lower metabolic rate.
- Potassium
Potassium is required for the body to be able to process iron.
- Vitamin C
Consuming products rich in vitamin C next to products rich in iron increases iron absorption in our bodies. Vitamin C rich food also help in oxidizing fat. Therefore fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C have the power to boost our metabolism.
Fruits and Vegetables with Metabolic Powers:
Fruits and Vegetables Rich in Vitamin C:
- Grapefruit
- Orange
- Lemon
- Strawberries
- Kiwi
- Guava
Fruits and Vegetables rich in Iron:
- Watercress
- Spinach
- Other Leafy Greens
Fruits and Vegetables rich in Potassium:
- Watermelon
- Honeydew
- Cantaloupe
Other Fruits and Vegetables that are Good for Metabolism:
- Ginger - Known to aid digestion
- Cayenne Pepper - contains capsaicin , which increases the speed of the metabolism
- Blueberries - Rich in flavonoids
- Pineapple - aids digestion due to bromelain compound
Juice Recipes for Faster Metabolism:
Blueberry Juice For Faster Metabolism
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups of Blueberries
- 1/2 Pineapple
- 1 slice of ginger (~1 inch wide)
Grapefruit Juice as Metabolism Booster
Ingredients:
- 1 Grapefruit
- 1 Apple
- 1 Orange
Fresh Juice with Cayenne Pepper to Boost Your Metabolism
Ingredients:
- 3 Apples
- 1 Lemon
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- 1 Slice of Ginger ( ~1 inch wide)
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I support the idea of drinking fresh juices.
Hi, Daniel Karanja!
I’m very happy you support juicing! Want to mention that we’re talking here about fresh squeezed natural juices from fresh vegetables and fruits, and not about processed juices with a lot of preservatives and other chemicals.
Thank you!
I have a question. When I juice an orange, apple and grapefruit…do I include peelings/seeds?
Hi, DIANNE Geabhart!
It’s preferable to not include peelings or seeds in your juices. Otherwise, they will add a bitter taste to your juices. This bitter ingredient is also not good for your health. You can use special citrus juicers that are intended for all kinds of citruses and will give you perfect citrus juices.