What is metabolism?

What sets your metabolism

The energy you burn at complete rest is your basal metabolic rate, or BMR.

Two things can change it:

• Muscle burns more energy than fat, even at rest, so losing muscle can lower the energy you use.
• Hormones matter: an underactive thyroid can slow metabolism and an overactive one can speed it up.

ICMR-NIN notes that Indians tend to carry relatively more body fat and have a lower BMR than international formulas predict.

Supporting your metabolism

You can support your metabolism with everyday habits.

• Eat regular, balanced meals instead of skipping them.
• Drink enough water.
• Avoid extreme diets and long fasts.
• Strength exercise helps you build and keep muscle, which burns more energy than fat.
• Staying active through the day adds to what you burn.
• Good, regular sleep keeps your hormones in balance.

Is metabolism on a report?

Metabolism isn't a single lab value. If your doctor suspects a slow metabolism, they may check your thyroid with a TSH test, and some clinics estimate BMR on body-composition machines.