A less desired aspect of maturing is that your metabolism may naturally slow down. This can cause a gradual loss of muscle mass and the numbers on your scale to creep up.
One of the most effective ways to boost your metabolism is to exercise. As we age, extreme exercise regimens may no longer be what is recommended for us. However, lower-impact exercises such as walking or bike riding can really give your metabolism the jump start it needs.
Another good way to stay ahead of your metabolism is to eat small meals that are high in protein, healthy snacks, such as yogurt, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Try not to skip a meal because, if you do, your metabolism will think you are starving and slow down further.
Another method of speeding up a sluggish metabolism is with spices. Try sprinkling chili pepper, ginger or turmeric on your meals. They have all been found to have a positive effect on the metabolism.
Of course, if you have tried all these remedies to boost your metabolism and are still experiencing a slower than normal response, there may be an underlying medical condition.
Some medical conditions that can slow metabolism are:
- Cushing’s syndrome – this illness happens when your body makes too much cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal system, creating a slow metabolism.
- Hypothyroidism – (Underactive thyroid) in disease of the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This can cause body functions to slow down and result in weight gain, as well as fatigue, joint pain, and other symptoms.
- Graves’ disease – (Overactive thyroid) this thyroid disease occurs when the body’s immune system makes antibodies that attach to thyroid cells, stimulating the body to make too much thyroid hormone.
- Hashimoto’s disease – is also called autoimmune thyroiditis, this occurs when the thyroid gland becomes chronically inflamed, causing it to secrete insufficient amounts of thyroid hormone.
- Low testosterone levels – if you’re a man with a lower level of testosterone, a male sex hormone, you might find your metabolism altered.
If you have tried ways to boost your metabolism and are not seeing any results, you may want to check in with your doctor. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with an Endocrinologist at Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, call 718-206-7001 for an appointment.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.