I am Kashish Ahuja, nutritionist at The Kenko Life.
Metabolism refers to the complex set of chemical reactions that occur within the cells of living organisms to maintain life. These processes enable the body to convert food and drink into energy, build and repair tissues, and regulate various bodily functions.
There are two main aspects of metabolism:
- Anabolism: This is the process of building larger molecules from smaller ones. It involves the creation of proteins, nucleic acids, and other essential molecules that the body needs to grow, repair, and maintain tissues.
- Catabolism: This is the breakdown of larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy in the process. For example, when you eat food, the body breaks down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to produce energy (usually in the form of ATP, adenosine triphosphate).
Metabolism is influenced by various factors, including age, genetics, hormone levels, physical activity, and diet. A faster metabolism means that your body burns energy (calories) more quickly, whereas a slower metabolism means energy is used more slowly. People with a higher muscle mass, for example, generally have a faster metabolism.
In simple terms, metabolism is how your body turns the food you eat into energy for every function—from breathing to thinking, to moving, and even to repairing cells.
Certain foods can help boost metabolism by increasing the rate at which your body burns calories or by supporting the processes that generate energy – protein rich food, beans and legumes, green tea, nuts and seeds, lemon and citrus food and whole grains.
