Metabolism can be explained quite simply as the amount of energy your body uses each day. Your body is continually burning substrates for energy, much like a fire continually burning fuel. Carbohydrates are like paper and are the first fuel source to be used, followed by fats, the logs on our fire that burn slowly, producing lots of energy.

Proteins can be used as energy however are not the preferred source of fuel, much like throwing a brick on our fire, protein takes a long time and a lot of effort to burn. Proteins prime role in the body is for growth and maintenance, and much like bricks are better suited for building structures than for throwing on the fires.

What does the body use energy for?

The energy provided by the burning of substrates is used all over the body for:

• Maintenance and repair of body tissue
• Regulations of thousands of chemical reactions occurring during cellular respiration
• To provide energy for muscle contraction
• Conduction of nerve impulses
• Secrection of glands
• Synthesis of compounds which become part of the body’s structure
• Growth, reproduction and milk during pregnancy

How do I influence my Metabolism? Factors that increase metabolic rate:

• You can do more exercise
• Make sure you eat regular meals
• You can eat some spicy treats

Factors that decrease your metabolic rate:

• You can go on a crash diet or fast
• You can age - Metabolic rate decreases 2% per decade after the age of 20
• You can keep warm - we burn more energy when we shiver

Gaining and Losing Weight can be attributed to the universal law of energy balance

• Energy in < Energy out = Decrease in body weight
• Energy in > Energy out = Increase in body weight
• Energy in = Energy out = Stable body weight