5. Missing Sleep
Whether you lead a busy lifestyle or you’re having difficulty sleeping for any other reason, lost sleep can have a big impact on your metabolism.
So called “sleep debt” has been shown to have a major impact on the speed of your metabolism[3], especially in older individuals, so be sure you’re getting enough rest.
4. Low Iron Intake
Are you getting enough iron in your diet? It’s important to eat iron rich foods such as dark, leafy greens as it plays a crucial role in various bodily processes, including metabolism[4]. If you don’t get enough iron, your blood doesn’t get enough oxygen, you lose energy, and your metabolism slows down. This one’s especially important for women, whose iron levels drop each month during their periods.
3. Eating Too Little
While it may sound counterintuitive, not eating enough – whether it’s through attempting to diet, not having a lot of time for meals, or sheer forgetfulness – can have a major impact on your metabolism.
That’s because not eating enough sends your body into starvation mode[5], which makes it hang onto calories (while sending your energy levels plummeting).
2. Not Getting Enough Calcium
Calcium is important to the metabolism of fat in your body, which is why getting enough calcium is often recommended for weight loss[6].
Related: 6 Common Foods That Build Your Bones And Hydrate Your Skin
1. Dehydration
Your body needs water for everything that it does. That includes various metabolic processes[7] – in fact, being dehydrated can lead you to burn up to 2 percent fewer calories per day. Be sure that you’re getting enough water throughout the day.