In most cases, genetic metabolic disorders can be managed under medical supervision, with close attention to diet. The symptoms of genetic metabolic disorders can be very similar to those of other disorders and diseases, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause.

See your doctor if you suspect you have a metabolic disorder. Some genetic disorders of metabolism include:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.

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Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. What is metabolism? Two processes of metabolism Metabolic rate Metabolism and age-related weight gain Hormonal disorders of metabolism Genetic disorders of metabolism Where to get help. Two processes of metabolism Our metabolism is complex — put simply it has 2 parts, which are carefully regulated by the body to make sure they remain in balance.

They are: Catabolism — the breakdown of food components such as carbohydrates , proteins and dietary fats into their simpler forms, which can then be used to provide energy and the basic building blocks needed for growth and repair. Anabolism — the part of metabolism in which our body is built or repaired.

Anabolism requires energy that ultimately comes from our food. When we eat more than we need for daily anabolism, the excess nutrients are typically stored in our body as fat. Thermic effect of food also known as thermogenesis — your body uses energy to digest the foods and drinks you consume and also absorbs, transports and stores their nutrients.

Energy used during physical activity — this is the energy used by physical movement and it varies the most depending on how much energy you use each day.

Physical activity includes planned exercise like going for a run or playing sport but also includes all incidental activity such as hanging out the washing, playing with the dog or even fidgeting!

Basal metabolic rate BMR The BMR refers to the amount of energy your body needs to maintain homeostasis. Factors that affect our BMR Your BMR is influenced by multiple factors working in combination, including: Body size — larger adult bodies have more metabolising tissue and a larger BMR.

Amount of lean muscle tissue — muscle burns kilojoules rapidly. Crash dieting, starving or fasting — eating too few kilojoules encourages the body to slow the metabolism to conserve energy. Age — metabolism slows with age due to loss of muscle tissue, but also due to hormonal and neurological changes.

Growth — infants and children have higher energy demands per unit of body weight due to the energy demands of growth and the extra energy needed to maintain their body temperature.

Gender — generally, men have faster metabolisms because they tend to be larger. Genetic predisposition — your metabolic rate may be partly decided by your genes. Hormonal and nervous controls — BMR is controlled by the nervous and hormonal systems.

Hormonal imbalances can influence how quickly or slowly the body burns kilojoules. Environmental temperature — if temperature is very low or very high, the body has to work harder to maintain its normal body temperature, which increases the BMR.

Infection or illness — BMR increases because the body has to work harder to build new tissues and to create an immune response. Amount of physical activity — hard-working muscles need plenty of energy to burn. Regular exercise increases muscle mass and teaches the body to burn kilojoules at a faster rate, even when at rest.

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Overview How is it that two people of the same age, gender, and height can eat the same foods and be equally active, but one gains weight while the other loses it?

The age-metabolism-body fat equation As you age, your metabolism naturally slows down. Taking steps to raise your metabolism helps you to: Burn extra food calories before they get stored as body fat. Burn off extra body fat that you already have. What to do When you eat more calories than your body burns in a day, they're stored mainly in your fat cells as body fat.

To boost your metabolism and help manage your weight: Be more active. Trans fats aren't just bad for your heart—they also slow down your body's ability to burn fat. Trans fats can negatively impact how your body metabolizes essential macronutrients your body needs, like the lipids in your blood and fatty acids.

Eating trans fat can cause insulin resistance and inflammation—two factors related to conditions that indicate problems with metabolism, like diabetes and obesity. Foods high in trans fats include many commercial baked goods and fried foods.

Your body takes more time to break down protein than fat or carbs, so you end up feeling fuller for longer. Because it takes longer to burn protein than carbs or fat, your body uses more energy absorbing the nutrients in a high-protein diet.

A quick way to get in more protein is to add whey to a smoothie. Fat oxidation, the process of breaking down fatty acids, and the thermic effect, the extra energy your body needs during digestion, was greater with whey than with soy or casein. Caffeine speeds up your central nervous system, and that can boost your metabolism.

What's more, coffee can give you energy and antioxidants. Coffee also improves energy levels during exercise, helping you work harder and longer and burn more calories in the process.

However, the boost that your metabolism gets from caffeine will be small, and you probably won't notice any change in weight because of it. Green tea and oolong tea may also help increase metabolism.

Research has suggested both teas may be able to help you burn more fat. Unfortunately, the effects of the added fat-burning boost from tea won't be enough to affect a person's weight. It might be beneficial for your metabolism to stand, when possible, or just move around if you're sitting for long periods.

Whenever you're physically active and moving, you can burn more calories compared to if you're stationary or seated. One of the benefits of less stress is a better metabolism: Research suggests that when you're stressed out, your metabolism stalls.

There are a few possible reasons for this, but one is that chronic stress stimulates the production of betatrophin, a protein that inhibits an enzyme needed to break down fat.

De-stressing may not always be easy, but it can be achievable in some cases. You can reduce stress by doing something that you enjoy but also find relaxing, like reading a book or taking a walk.

Research has found that sleep is important for regulating your metabolism. One study's findings indicated that, after a few days of sleep deprivation , study participants felt less full after eating and metabolized the fat in their food differently.

While getting enough sleep isn't exactly a boost to your metabolism, it can keep you from experiencing weight gain. It's recommended that adults get at least seven hours of sleep a night.

If you're having a hard time hitting seven hours a night, try getting into new bedtime habits that will help you get a full night of sleep. Your metabolism can be affected by different factors, but it's possible to boost it. Regular movement, including activities like strength and interval training, making changes to your diet, and getting enough sleep are all ways to see potential improvements to your metabolism.

A combination of drinking enough water, getting enough exercise, and eating a healthy balanced diet can help your metabolism burn fat. Chili peppers, cocoa, nuts, and green tea have all been suggested to have a positive effect on metabolism.

However, nutrient-rich foods in general can be beneficial for metabolism. It may be possible for dieting to have an effect on metabolism. However, more research is necessary to determine what exact conclusions can be drawn between diets and metabolism.

Mcmurray RG, Soares J, Caspersen CJ, Mccurdy T. Examining Variations of Resting Metabolic Rate of Adults: A Public Health Perspective. Can you boost your metabolism?

Atakan MM, Li Y, Koşar ŞN, Turnagöl HH, Yan X. Evidence-based effects of high-intensity interval training on exercise capacity and health: a review with historical perspective. Tan J, Krasilshchikov O, Kuan G, et al. The effects of combining aerobic and heavy resistance training on body composition, muscle hypertrophy, and exercise satisfaction in physically active adults.

Muscle cells vs. fat cells. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How much physical activity do adults need? Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Metabolism myths and facts.

Eating trans fat can cause insulin resistance and inflammation—two factors related to conditions that indicate problems with metabolism, like diabetes and obesity. Foods high in trans fats include many commercial baked goods and fried foods. Your body takes more time to break down protein than fat or carbs, so you end up feeling fuller for longer.

Because it takes longer to burn protein than carbs or fat, your body uses more energy absorbing the nutrients in a high-protein diet. A quick way to get in more protein is to add whey to a smoothie. Fat oxidation, the process of breaking down fatty acids, and the thermic effect, the extra energy your body needs during digestion, was greater with whey than with soy or casein.

Caffeine speeds up your central nervous system, and that can boost your metabolism. What's more, coffee can give you energy and antioxidants. Coffee also improves energy levels during exercise, helping you work harder and longer and burn more calories in the process.

However, the boost that your metabolism gets from caffeine will be small, and you probably won't notice any change in weight because of it. Green tea and oolong tea may also help increase metabolism.

Research has suggested both teas may be able to help you burn more fat. Unfortunately, the effects of the added fat-burning boost from tea won't be enough to affect a person's weight.

It might be beneficial for your metabolism to stand, when possible, or just move around if you're sitting for long periods. Whenever you're physically active and moving, you can burn more calories compared to if you're stationary or seated. One of the benefits of less stress is a better metabolism: Research suggests that when you're stressed out, your metabolism stalls.

There are a few possible reasons for this, but one is that chronic stress stimulates the production of betatrophin, a protein that inhibits an enzyme needed to break down fat. De-stressing may not always be easy, but it can be achievable in some cases. You can reduce stress by doing something that you enjoy but also find relaxing, like reading a book or taking a walk.

Research has found that sleep is important for regulating your metabolism. One study's findings indicated that, after a few days of sleep deprivation , study participants felt less full after eating and metabolized the fat in their food differently.

While getting enough sleep isn't exactly a boost to your metabolism, it can keep you from experiencing weight gain. It's recommended that adults get at least seven hours of sleep a night.

If you're having a hard time hitting seven hours a night, try getting into new bedtime habits that will help you get a full night of sleep. Your metabolism can be affected by different factors, but it's possible to boost it. Regular movement, including activities like strength and interval training, making changes to your diet, and getting enough sleep are all ways to see potential improvements to your metabolism.

A combination of drinking enough water, getting enough exercise, and eating a healthy balanced diet can help your metabolism burn fat. Chili peppers, cocoa, nuts, and green tea have all been suggested to have a positive effect on metabolism.

However, nutrient-rich foods in general can be beneficial for metabolism. It may be possible for dieting to have an effect on metabolism. However, more research is necessary to determine what exact conclusions can be drawn between diets and metabolism.

Mcmurray RG, Soares J, Caspersen CJ, Mccurdy T. Examining Variations of Resting Metabolic Rate of Adults: A Public Health Perspective. Can you boost your metabolism? Atakan MM, Li Y, Koşar ŞN, Turnagöl HH, Yan X.

Evidence-based effects of high-intensity interval training on exercise capacity and health: a review with historical perspective. Tan J, Krasilshchikov O, Kuan G, et al. The effects of combining aerobic and heavy resistance training on body composition, muscle hypertrophy, and exercise satisfaction in physically active adults.

Muscle cells vs. fat cells. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How much physical activity do adults need? Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Metabolism myths and facts.

Martin A, Fox D, Murphy CA, Hofmann H, Koehler K. Tissue losses and metabolic adaptations both contribute to the reduction in resting metabolic rate following weight loss. Int J Obes. American Council on Exercise. World Health Organization. Indicator metadata registry details.

Chen Y kun, Liu T ting, Teia FKF, Xie M zhou. Exploring the underlying mechanisms of obesity and diabetes and the potential of Traditional Chinese Medicine: an overview of the literature. Front Endocrinol. Saito M, Matsushita M, Yoneshiro T, Okamatsu-Ogura Y.

Brown Adipose Tissue, Diet-Induced Thermogenesis, and Thermogenic Food Ingredients: From Mice to Men. Fekete ÁA, Giromini C, Chatzidiakou Y, Givens DI, Lovegrove JA.

Whey protein lowers blood pressure and improves endothelial function and lipid biomarkers in adults with prehypertension and mild hypertension: results from the chronic Whey2Go randomized controlled trial.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Górecki M, Hallmann E. The antioxidant content of coffee and its in vitro activity as an effect of its production method and roasting and brewing time.

Torquati L, Peeters G, Brown WJ, Skinner TL. A Daily Cup of Tea or Coffee May Keep You Moving: Association Between Tea and Coffee Consumption and Physical Activity.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Zhang S, Takano J, Murayama N, et al. Subacute ingestion of caffeine and oolong tea increases fat oxidation without affecting energy expenditure and sleep architecture: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded cross-over trial.

Hodgson AB, Randell RK, Jeukendrup AE. The Effect of Green Tea Extract on Fat Oxidation at Rest and during Exercise: Evidence of Efficacy and Proposed Mechanisms. Advances in Nutrition. Ways to burn more calories every day. You rely on your metabolism to breathe, think, digest, circulate blood, keep warm in the cold, and stay cool in the heat.

It is a common belief that raising your metabolism helps you burn more calorie. Unfortunately, there are more myths about boosting metabolism than tactics that work. Some myths can backfire.

If you think you are burning more calories than you actually are, you could end up eating more than you should. It is true that you burn more calories when you exercise , especially when you get your heart rate up with activities like biking or swimming.

That increased calorie burn lasts as long as your workout. You might keep burning extra calories for an hour or so after that, but the aftereffects of exercise stop there. Once you stop moving, your metabolism will go back to its resting rate.

If you load up on calories after a workout, thinking your body will keep burning calories the rest of the day, you risk weight gain. What to do: Exercise for your health and refuel with healthy foods.

Do not let exercise give you an excuse to overindulge in high-calorie foods and drinks. Muscle burns more calories than fat. So will building more muscle not boost your metabolism?

Yes, but only by a small amount. Most regular exercisers only gain a few pounds fewer kilograms of muscle. That is not enough to make a big difference in the number of calories you burn. Plus, when not in active use, muscles burn very few calories. Most of the time, your brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs account for most of your metabolism.

What to do: Lift weights for stronger bones and muscles. Make strength training part of a well-rounded exercise program that includes activities to get your heart pumping.

To keep off extra weight, you also need to eat a healthy diet and appropriate portions. Eating foods like green tea, caffeine, or hot chili peppers will not help you shed excess pounds kilograms.

Some may provide a small boost in your metabolism, but not enough to make a difference in your weight. What to do: Choose foods for their good nutrition and taste. Eat a variety of healthy foods that fill you up without filling you out. Unfortunately, there is little scientific evidence that eating small, frequent meals boosts metabolism.

Spreading your meals throughout the day might keep you from getting too hungry and overeating. If so, it is a good idea. Athletes perform better when they eat more often in smaller amounts. If you are someone who has a hard time stopping once you start eating, 3 meals a day may make it easier for you to stick to an appropriate intake than lots of little snacks.

What to do: Pay attention to your hunger cues and eat when you feel hungry. Keep track of your daily diet and limit high-sugar, high-fat snacks. A good night's sleep will not boost your metabolism but going without sleep can add weight.

Sleep-deprived people tend to eat more calories than they need, possibly to deal with feeling tired. What to do: Plan your schedule so you have enough time for sleep.

If you have trouble sleeping, look into ways to unwind before bedtime and make your bedroom comfortable for sleep. Talk to your health care provider if self-care tips for better sleep do not help. While it is true that our metabolism is slower than when we were kids, a lot of mid-life weight gain happens because we become less active.

Jobs and family push exercise to the back burner.

One way to nudge the metabolism needle is to change the amount of some cell types by building more lean mass or muscle.

More muscle means more metabolically demanding muscle cells, which translates into a higher resting metabolism. Individual differences in this mass underlie most of the variation in metabolism from person to person, according to Urlacher. Two people with the same body weight but different proportions of lean mass to fat can eat the same number of calories and still have different weight-gain outcomes.

In terms of weight loss, the timing of a gym visit also might make a tiny difference, Urlacher says. A resting heart rate of 50 beats per minute for one person versus 70 for another just means the heart with the slower resting rate might be more efficient at getting oxygen to tissues, Pontzer says.

Bumping up an exercise regimen to burn through more calories may also seem like a sure way to boost metabolism and lose weight.

Evidence suggests instead that daily energy expenditure has a boundary. If you try to push past this boundary, the body adjusts metabolic expenditure in other activities to get back inside the lines.

This energy compensation may explain why simply adding more miles a week can yield fitness and other gains but has little effect on weight. People who exercise also tend to increase caloric intake to compensate for the additional energy expenditure. But how might metabolism change if you exercise and restrict caloric intake?

Secret 3: Get active Sounds impossible, but you can - and should - work out every day. Cardiovascular exercise running, swimming, aerobics, walking stimulates your metabolism, helps you burn calories and can even temporarily suppress your appetite post-workout.

Weight training is important too, because it tones your muscles and boosts lean tissue mass, which burns more calories per pound than fat. The more lean muscle tissue you have, the more calories you burn daily.

Breaking up a minute workout into two minute or three minute sessions is not only convenient, but also it may help you burn more fat, according to recent research. Hate exercise? Here are 12 workout tips.

Secret 4: Eat all day Forget about three large square meals a day. Graze on healthy snacks or nosh on smaller meals instead. Eating small meals throughout the day keeps a steady stream of energy available to your body. This boosts your metabolism and your brain power. Keep healthy snacks fruits, veggies, nuts , yogurt with you throughout the day.

Dieters often try to get that extra weight-loss edge by cutting entire meals instead of just cutting calories throughout the day. But this is counterproductive: Skipping meals forces your metabolism to slow down and conserve calories to compensate for the lack of food. So when you finally do eat, your body remembers that it went for a long time without food and will store more calories to prepare for the next time you'll starve it.

Stay off this roller-coaster by eating at regular intervals throughout the entire day. Enjoy these 10 quick and tasty snack ideas. Some experts say that your body burns extra calories as it works to raise the temperature of icy water to your internal body temperature, although others disagree.

Scientists suspect that a lack of sleep slows down the metabolism, and that sleep-deprived people simply have less energy to move around in general.

Frequent small meals sustain your metabolism working at a higher rate than a few large meals do Gesellschaft für Ernährungsheilkunde. However, skipping too many meals will cause your metabolism to slow down as the body adjusts to food scarcity. Part of this adjustment is an increased readiness to store energy in the form of fat.

Being well hydrated is essential for high performance as well as for a high metabolic rate Thornton et al. There really is no limit on how much water you can safely drink Gesellschaft für Ernährungsheilkunde.

The overall effect is only slight, however, and may cause some discomfort. Cochrane, D. Alternating hot and cold water immersion for athlete recovery: a review.

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Hydration and muscular performance: does fluid balance affect strength, power and high-intensity endurance?. Sports medicine Auckland, N. LaForgia, J. Effects of exercise intensity and duration on the excess post-exercise oxygen consumption.

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The Journal of physiology, Pt 6 , — Scoon, G. Effect of post-exercise sauna bathing on the endurance performance of competitive male runners. Journal of science and medicine in sport, 10 4 , — Spiegel, K. Effects of poor and short sleep on glucose metabolism and obesity risk. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 5 5 , Tabata, I.

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Hydration increases cell metabolism. International Journal of Obesity, 33 3 , Tsi, D. Clinical study on the combined effect of capsaicin, green tea extract and essence of chicken on body fat content in human subjects.