Your metabolism refers to various chemical reactions in your body that convert food into energy for your cells. The human metabolism can be quite fragile and easily manipulated. Your diet, sleep habits, and hormones are just a few of the factors that can influence how well your metabolism works. It’s also natural for metabolism to slow down with age. That’s one reason so many adults feel sluggish, gain weight, and long for their youthful energy.
Fortunately, there are things people of all ages can do to help their body make and use energy optimally. Options include eating well to support digestive health, exercising regularly, and prioritizing sleep. But before you can take corrective action, you need to recognize when there’s a problem. Here are three signs that indicate your metabolism may need a boost.
1. Gas and Bloating
Do you get embarrassed after meals because of gas, bloating, and other digestive issues? Some people may tell you this is normal, but it isn’t (though it is common). Millions of people experience some sort of digestive issue after eating. However, many of them don’t realize that these problems can be indications of a slow metabolism.
When your metabolism is slow, it isn’t very efficient at helping the body digest and use food. Therefore, you’re more likely to feel bloated and uncomfortable after eating. To combat digestive problems naturally, consider taking apple cider vinegar. It contains acetic acid, which can improve metabolism and digestion. If you dislike raw apple cider vinegar, try ACV gummies, which taste better and don’t burn going down.
It’s also a good idea to add a probiotic to your daily supplement regimen. Probiotics can improve digestion and nutrient absorption. They occur naturally in fermented foods, but some people find it easier and more palatable to take them in supplement form. As you boost your gut health and improve your digestion, your metabolism should naturally begin to speed up.
2. You Can’t Drop Stubborn Weight
One of the most common signs of a slowing metabolism is weight gain — particularly around the midsection. If you’ve always been able to maintain your weight until recently, your metabolism might be to blame. This is especially likely if you eat healthy foods and exercise regularly, but your waistline continues to expand.
It can feel helpless to pack on the pounds despite your best efforts to lose the weight. Many people try to counteract the weight gain by eating too few calories for their needs. Unfortunately, this can further slow the metabolism and exacerbate the problem. You do need to consume fewer calories than you burn each day, but you shouldn’t engage in extreme calorie cutting. Extreme diets can actually slow your metabolism, making it even harder to keep the weight off.
It’s generally better to try to lose weight by focusing on repairing your sluggish metabolism. You can do this by prioritizing healthy protein intake at each meal, exercising daily, and eating healthy foods. If you’re already doing these things, try intermittent fasting and supplementation. Simple IF is shown to improve metabolism and help with weight loss. Supplementing with B vitamins, cayenne pepper, or vitamin D may also help you drop excess pounds.
3. You’re Losing Hair
It can be frightening to notice your hair thinning out, especially when it seems there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Sometimes, hair loss occurs due to a lack of micronutrients. When you have a slow metabolism, you may deal with micronutrient deficiencies. This is because your body can’t efficiently absorb nutrients from the foods you eat. Therefore, many of those nutrients end up getting expelled from your body with your waste.
To boost your hair growth and overall health, focus on improving your metabolism. If you work a desk job, try getting up every 20-30 minutes and walking around. The simple act of walking can boost your metabolism, if you do it regularly. Any type of aerobic exercise helps increase your body’s energy expenditure and boosts metabolism. But don’t forget to incorporate weight training into your weekly workout routine, as well.
Lifting weights can improve your basal metabolic rate, which refers to the number of calories you burn by simply living. Your total body mass is the biggest determiner of your BMR. You can’t control how tall you are, but you can control how much muscle you add to your frame. It’s estimated that each pound of muscle burns around six calories each day while at rest. Therefore, the more muscle you have, the more calories you’ll burn.
These are just a few of the most notable signs of a slow metabolism. You might also feel chronically tired, get ill frequently, or feel depressed or anxious. When you notice these symptoms, it’s important to rule out any other potential causes so you know how to tackle the issue. If you have an underlying health problem that’s causing your symptoms, please seek medical help as needed. If a slow metabolism is to blame, follow these tips and the advice of a medical professional to correct the problem. Once you do, you’ll be feeling better in no time.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
