Do fast and slow metabolisms actually exist or is this just a myth?

Yes and No. The whole metabolism subject can get pretty confusing; so before I try to answer your question in full, let me try to simplify the term metabolism for you.

Metabolism is simply the rate in which you body breaks down nutrients in food and uses them for energy. Your metabolic rate (Basal Metabolic Rate) is defined as the energy expenditure required to support life. The number of calories your body requires to sustain your body processes over the day is based on many contributing factors.

All of the following factors influence metabolism…

Dietary choices, gender, medications, daily activity, stress, hormonal balance, digestion issues, muscle mass, body fat percentage and last but not least, our genes. A study, published in Science Daily in December last year, suggested that genes that predispose people to obesity act in the brain and that perhaps some people are hard wired to over eat. Genes determine how we look, how tall we grow and what colour hair we have. They also determine behaviour traits and risks of disease. Most experts agree that nutrition and lifestyle choices are the main determination of our weight. So although some of us may be hard-wired to over eat or store fat, ultimately our lifestyle determines our weight and our metabolism.

Here are my top tips for creating a super metabolism.

Metabolism Boosters

·      Choose lots of fibrous vegetables

·      Eat breakfast

·      Have regular meal times

·      Use whey protein

·      Take vitamins and minerals

·      Drink green tea

·      Eat 25-30 grams of fibre each day

·      Weight train two - three times a week

·      Keep hydrated

·      Watch less TV

·      Get regular sleep

·      Take Omega 3

Metabolism Killers

·      Refined carbohydrates

·      Alcohol

·      Skipping meals

·      Low calorie diets

·      Vitamin deficiencies

·      Mineral deficiencies

·      Dehydration

·      Medications

·      Lack of sleep

·      Eating too many calories in the evening

·      Over exercising

·      Trans fats

·      Sugary drinks

 If you do think you have a ‘slow metabolism’ it can easily be corrected through an increase of activity like weight training and a structured nutrition program.