Weight loss isn’t just a question of eating fewer calories and getting more exercise. It’s also about doing what you can to improve the way your body uses the nutrients you feed it. You’ve probably heard about how to maintain a healthy weight by boosting your metabolism, but it’s a little more complicated than it sounds. (Updated Sept 2, 2023)
The Low-Down On Metabolism
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Metabolism is the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. During this complex biochemical process, calories in food and beverages are combined with oxygen to release the energy your body needs to function.” (1)
Your metabolism is always functioning because your body is constantly in need of energy, even when you’re at rest. Every action in your body, including breathing, circulating blood, adjusting hormone levels, and growing and repairing cells requires plenty of energy.
Metabolism is actually the results of many organs and system coming together.
Important structures include:
- Your liver
- Your adrenals
- Your thyroid
- Your muscles
It goes without saying that if your body is in a state of distress or disease, then your metabolism is likely impaired.
5 Fat Burning Tricks
If your body is storing fat despite your best efforts, it may be time clear-up the structures that regulate your metabolism. Here are 5 fat burning tricks to get your body in burn-burning mode, and keep it there!
5. Start With Your Liver
Your liver plays a huge role in how energy is used and stored in your body.
In fact, your liver even regulates blood sugar by activating or deactivating metabolic enzymes, It also plays a role in hormone regulation as well as synthesizing molecules essential for homeostasis (2).
What’s more, the organ stores excess glucose as glycogen to keep your body running in between meals. When its glycogen stores are full, the excess energy is stored as fat. Plus, it has the ability to synthesizing glucose out of such things as amino acids and carbohydrates.
The liver is at the center of fat storage and use: when in need of energy, it oxidizes triglycerides to produce energy, supplies energy to its own cells and sends the remaining energy through the bloodstream to feed other tissues.
And if that wasn’t enough, your liver filters out toxins, breaks down medicines, and metabolizes alcohol. In all, this vital organ performs more than 600 life-supporting metabolic functions.
However, when your liver is overloaded with heavy metals, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners, it can’t perform these functions as well as it should. Subsequently, you may experience weight gain, bloating, skin issues, mood disorders, low energy, poor sleep quality, and the inability to lose weight.
To get your liver back on track, cut out artificial sweeteners, alcohol, and processed fats; eat plenty of fiber; make sure to get at least 7 hours of sleep per night, and exercise regularly.