FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO LOW METABOLISM - Part II

In part II, we will continue to look at ways to avoid having a low metabolism and how to sustain a healthy, functioning metabolism. Let’s look at 5 additional factors that can affect your metabolism.

Our sixth reason for low metabolism is one that most people really do underestimate, and that is stress. Stress triggers our cortisol hormone to rise. High, constant cortisol can lead to insulin resistance; therefore, our blood sugars remain elevated, which leads to more serious health issues, including weight gain and obesity.

Okay, number seven is sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation seems to have a negative impact on carbohydrate metabolism. When this happens, blood sugar levels rise, which spikes insulin levels, which then signals your body to store any unused energy/fuel as fat. In leptin studies, those with sleep deprivation showed reduced leptin levels.

Okay, number eight is important, too. It’s medication. Your metabolism can be affected by some drugs, such as antidepressants, diabetic meds, steroids, anti-thyroid agents used for hyperthyroid, and hormone therapies, as well as others. We aren’t telling you to stop taking your prescribed medications, but this can help explain slow metabolism and weight loss.

Next, number nine on our list is physical inactivity. I think we all understand this principle. However, we have many clients who are not able to exercise for various reasons, and they still lose a lot of weight. It’s just that a lack of movement or inactivity means your heart rate will stay lower and you will burn less energy. Even walking helps metabolism.

Finally, the 10^th reason for low metabolism is chronic disease. For example, hypothyroidism plays a big role metabolically and in overall energy production. In fact, if you aren’t producing enough thyroid hormone, it is underactive, or if you are thyroid hormone resistant, all your body’s processes will slow down.

Diabetics also tend to have a lower metabolism than non-diabetics. While experts are not totally sure about why that is, their studies lead them to believe that higher blood sugar levels fool the body into believing there is excess energy around, so the body slows metabolically in response.

There are other chronic diseases that affect metabolism, as well, but you get the idea. A key take-away is understanding that inflammation is a major initial reason for so many of these chronic conditions and for difficulty with weight loss.

There really is no other answer other than to learn how to eat, to eat clean and to eat in a way that drives down inflammation and controls blood sugar and insulin spikes as a lifestyle. It’s the only way to sustain a healthy, functioning metabolism.