Metabolism is one of the most talked about topics among dieters and weight loss professionals. Essentially, your metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories to sustain its current weight. The amount of energy it takes for a body to sustain its weight depends on the amount of muscle it has in comparison to fat. Muscle requires more energy to sustain itself than fat does, so two people of the same weight and height can have two different metabolic rates if one has a higher percentage of muscle mass.
Many people who have trouble losing weight and body fat turn to metabolic products to speed up their metabolisms. Choosing the right metabolic products for you will depend on the amount of weight you have to lose, how fast or slow your metabolism actually is, and what you have available in your area. It is important to mention that in most cases, metabolism enhancing products are not necessary in order to lose weight. Proper diet and exercise are the key ingredients for long term weight loss, whether using additional products or not.
Before you begin using any kind of metabolic products, it is very important to speak with your doctor. Discuss with him or her the reasons behind your desire to purchase these products, and have him perform a full physical to ensure that you are in proper health for taking metabolic enhancers. If you believe you have a very slow metabolism, additional tests should be run. Symptoms of slow metabolism may include fatigue, constipation, coldness and weight gain; but these can also signal serious medical conditions that should be ruled out before you begin any weight loss program.
It is also a good idea to discuss with your doctor the exact type of products that you wish to take. For a truly slow metabolism, he will probably recommend products for you to take as well as warn you of products that should be avoided. Many over the counter metabolic products do speed up the metabolism, but they can also have dangerous side effects. Some may even lead to heart failure and death.
Try the products recommended by your doctor, and check in with him about any new products you find that sound appealing. To improve the effectiveness of any metabolic products, it is important to engage in physical activity a minimum of three times per week and eat fewer calories than you use. Make sure you include strength training in your workout routine to build muscle, because muscle increases the metabolism and helps to speed weight loss.
In some cases, you may wish to slow down your metabolism instead of speed it up. Again, speak with your doctor about possible causes of a fast metabolism. Symptoms of this disorder may include an inability to gain weight and irregular menstrual cycles. The problem may be caused by a hormonal imbalance within the body, primarily within the thyroid gland. Your doctor can prescribe medication or supplements to correct this imbalance.
Some natural metabolic products may be both safe and effective. Most of these involve whole food ingredients that naturally regulate hunger and build lean muscle rather than directly effecting the metabolism. These include soy or animal proteins and fiber-rich foods like whole grains. Consuming these food items in the form of a powder or bar may enhance the effectiveness by providing more concentrated dosages, though this has not been proven. The best way to regulate metabolism is through exercise and strength training.