It is a simple matter of bio-chemistry that all living things need constant supplies of both energy and matter; the intake and conversion of these elements within a bodily system is known as the metabolism. The concept of "metabolism" is an easy one to clarify: given how all living things require energy to remain alive, and furthermore, given how energy does not simply drift around in a form that our bodies can process, we must receive it in another way.



This is done through the intake of high-energy matter, which we would refer to as "food." The processes of chemical absorption and their linked chemical reactions which break down the matter for its stored energy are collectively known as "metabolism," the sum total of these reactions. While metabolism is normally cited as a reason why people put on weight and having trouble taking it off, the study of how a person can speed up their metabolism to burn calories, replace fat, and grant someone more energy is very worthwhile.

There are two parts to metabolism: catabolism and anabolism. Anabolism is considered the "positive" phase of metabolism, in which the body grows and repairs itself. Catabolism, the "negative" phase is when the body breaks materials down into small compounds that can be used to produce energy. Together, catabolism and anabolism determine how much energy you produce and use. This amount of energy is also called the metabolic rate.

There is a basal metabolic rate, which can be thought of as a baseline operating level. This is the amount of energy you need for basic survival. If you laid in bed all day and did nothing, you would still need energy, and the amount you used would be your basal rate. Any additional activity--walking, talking, even digesting--adds to this.

In order to improve your metabolic efficiency, it will be necessary to alter what you eat and what physical activities you engage in. Naturally, the ideal method for kicking up your metabolism is through exercise, which decreases body fats and increases the proportion of lean muscle mass. By developing this lean muscle mass, the body's metabolism will be able to augment and assist in shedding weight. Given that muscle tissues burn more calories than fatty tissues because of their higher metabolic rate, the more muscle tissue you have, the faster you will be able to burn off weight. So the more you exercise, the more you stand to lose. Aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming, or cycling all have the additional advantage of keeping your metabolic rate high for 4 to 8 hours following the end of exercise.