Surprising Causes of a Slow Metabolism

Metabolism is the process where your body converts food into energy blocks that are measured in calories. Every system within your body is linked to the rate of energy production. A strong metabolism is essential for lean muscle mass, immune function, healthy sex drive, fertility, brain function, longevity, energy, and much more. A sluggish metabolism has a direct relation to your overall weight. People with a fast metabolism burn calories more rapidly than people with a slow metabolism.

Some of the symptoms associated with having a slow metabolism include:

• Central obesity
• Difficulty in losing weight
• Constipation
• Food sensitivity
• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Brittle nails
• Unexplained hair loss
• Frequent headaches
• Low concentration levels
• Low libido
• Depression

These symptoms are also similar to what goes on in your body when you are under chronic stress. Indeed, slow metabolism and the symptoms of stress are intimately related.

How the Bioenergetics Circuit Runs Your Metabolism

The NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response system is how your body deals with stress. It contains six circuits of organs and systems, including the bioenergetics circuit, which function together to fight stress. A pair of walnut-shaped adrenal glands located above your kidneys is also a part of the response system.

When a stressful situation arises, the NEM swings into action and signals your adrenal glands to secrete the anti-stress hormone cortisol. However, when stress is constant, the adrenals are forced to secrete more and more cortisol. This can overburden your adrenals until they are unable to secrete adequate cortisol, which can affect your body’s stress-fighting ability and lead to adrenal fatigue.

When you frequently experience fatigue along with low concentration levels, insomnia, difficulty in waking up, anxiety, brain fog, constipation, craving for salty and fatty foods, and stubborn weight gain, you may have Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS).

There is a deep relation between the bioenergetics circuit of your NEM and slow metabolism.

The bioenergetics circuit is comprised of the liver, pancreas, and thyroid. Any imbalance in it can lead to sugar cravings, mitochondrial disorder, catabolism, dizziness, weight gain, insulin resistance, reactive hypoglycemia, and organ resistance.

The main function of the bioenergetics circuit is to carry out the metabolism processes. It produces and transports energy in the form of glucose to each cell of your body for their effective functioning.

In response to stress, the liver, pancreas, and thyroid work together to carry out the reactions required for converting food into energy for your cells. Besides carrying out the metabolism process, the bioenergetics circuit regulates the inflammation process and eliminates toxins from the body through the liver. When this circuit is functioning well, it protects your body from stress-related oxidative damage by reducing toxic overload and reduces the risk of stress.
The bioenergetics circuit also continues to provide your brain with glucose to ensure its effective functioning during stress.

When the metabolism function of this circuit becomes weak, it can reduce the nutrient supply to your cells, decrease detoxification, clog the interstitium, imbalance the microbiome, and slow down your recovery from emotional and physical stress.

Many symptoms of advanced AFS and slow metabolism can be interrelated. This includes slowing gastric assimilation, a catabolic state, and constipation. This is why working to restore the effective functioning of the bioenergetics circuit helps adrenal fatigue recovery.

Surprising Factors Contributing to Slow Metabolism

Although genetics has a major role in determining your metabolism speed, there are various other factors that can affect your metabolism negatively. For instance, high-stress levels can cause your metabolic rate to slow down. Making sure to avoid these habits can help give your metabolic speed a boost.

Here are some surprising factors that can cause slow metabolism:

• Dehydration - Drinking adequate water and staying hydrated is crucial for naturally flushing toxins from your body which is essential for effective functioning of your metabolism.
• Increased Alcohol Intake - When you drink alcohol, your body starts using it as fuel. The metabolic process of your body stops, causing an increase in fat storage. Minimizing alcohol consumption is important for maintaining a healthy metabolism.
• Inadequate Sleep - Several studies have linked inadequate sleep with slow metabolism and increased weight gain. A five-week study showed that participants with prolonged sleep disruption and disturbed circadian rhythms had a significant reduction in their resting metabolic rate by up to eight percent. Good restorative sleep at night is essential for maintaining a healthy metabolism.
• High Sugar Intake - Loading up on sugary beverages can disrupt your metabolism and lead to diabetes, obesity, and insulin resistance. A 12-week, controlled study was conducted on obese participants on a weight-maintaining diet. The result showed that a high intake of fructose-sweetened beverages led to a slow metabolism.
• Inadequate Fat Consumption - Not consuming enough healthy fats can ruin your metabolism. Almonds, nuts, seeds, and olive oil are great sources of healthy fats that boost metabolism.
• Not Eating Frequently - Eating six small meals throughout the day is the best way to maintain a healthy metabolism. Eating only twice a day with long gaps can be rough on your body. When you do not eat for long periods, your body assumes there is scarcity and slows down your metabolism.
• Eating Fewer Calories - You might be counting calories when trying to lose weight. However, eating too few calories can lead to a sluggish metabolism. With a calorie-deficient diet, your body assumes there is a scarcity of food and starts to slow down the calorie burning process. Controlled studies show that eating fewer than 1,000 calories per day can significantly impact your metabolic rate. This can make weight management more difficult.
• Sedentary Lifestyle - Leading a sedentary lifestyle such as working for long hours on the computer reduces your calorie burning potential. Exercising regularly is important to prevent your metabolism from slowing down.
• Low Protein Intake - Adequate protein intake is important for healthy weight management. Studies show that a protein-rich diet enables your body to burn more calories. The rise in metabolism after digestion is referred to as the thermic effect of food (TEF). The TEF of protein is higher than the TEF of carbs and fats. Eating protein has been shown to increase your metabolism by up to 20 to 30 percent, while carbs only increase it by 5 to 10 percent, and fats only 3 percent.

• Environmental Toxins - Toxin overload in your body can pose a hindrance to weight loss and adrenal fatigue recovery. Scientists have discovered that environmental toxins can lead to weight gain and diabetes. The chemicals end up in your system and interfere with your body’s ability to metabolize cholesterol and balance blood sugar. Constant exposure to toxins exerts stress on your body, thus activating the fight-or-flight response system. This, in turn, increases anti-stress hormone (cortisol) secretion and slows down metabolism. Minimize your toxic exposure by eating organic foods, keeping natural air purifying plants at home, drinking filtered water, using natural skincare products, and avoiding synthetic garments. Consider including detoxifying foods such as cilantro, mint, kale, broccoli, and cruciferous vegetables in your diet.
• Genetics - If you have a defective methylation process, such as a condition known as MTHFR, your systemic metabolism can be compromised. This can now be tested for, and supplementation can be given to help support a healthy metabolism.

Conclusion

Metabolism is the conversion of the food you consume into energy blocks by your body to be utilized for various bodily functions. Having a healthy metabolism is essential for proper immune function, lean muscle mass, longevity, energy, and several other body functions. A sluggish metabolism can impact your body’s ability to lose weight by burning fewer calories.

Some of the surprising factors contributing to a slow metabolism include dehydration, increased alcohol intake, inadequate sleep, increased sugar consumption, inadequate fat consumption, not eating frequently, eating fewer calories, a sedentary lifestyle, low protein intake, environmental toxins, and genetic methylation issues. The bioenergetics circuit of the NEM system is directly linked to your metabolic function, and symptoms of slow metabolism and AFS are interrelated. Therefore, boosting your metabolism can help in adrenal fatigue recovery and get your body back to functioning how it should.