11 Things That Make Your Metabolism Slow

Your digestive system is the motor that drives your metabolism. Therefore, you can say that the normal functioning of your digestive system is highly dependent on your metabolism. When you have a slow metabolism, your digestive functions aren’t working as efficiently as they should be.

What is metabolism?

Metabolism is how your digestive system turns what you eat and drink into energy. During this complex chemical process, calories in food and beverages are combined with oxygen to release the energy your body needs to function. 

There are a few ways to know if you have a slow metabolism. One clue that your metabolism may be sluggish is if you have trouble losing weight or if you gain weight quickly.

Another clue is how you feel during the day. If you often feel tired or sluggish, that may be a sign that your metabolic rate is too low.

What causes slow metabolism?

What are the factors that affect the metabolic rate you might be asking yourself? If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s a good idea to visit your doctor to discuss whether you may have a slow metabolism. There are several reasons why someone might have a low metabolic rate.

Here are 11 things that can make your metabolism slow:

Irregular Eating Schedule

When you think about metabolism, you might picture someone running on a treadmill or lifting weights at the gym. While physical activity is certainly one factor affecting your metabolism, it’s not the only one. Your eating habits are also a vital part of the equation. In particular, an irregular eating schedule can slow your metabolism and make it more challenging to lose weight.

Your body relies significantly on a consistent supply of nutrients to function correctly. When you eat irregularly, your body doesn’t know when to expect its next meal and begins to store calories as fat. Furthermore, large gaps between meals can cause your blood sugar levels to drop, leading to fatigue and cravings for sugary foods. Eating regular meals and snacks spaced evenly throughout the day is essential to keep your metabolism running smoothly.

Lack Of Sleep

Sleep is another integral component of a healthy lifestyle and can impact your metabolism in a few ways. First, when you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces more of the stress hormone cortisol. This hormone has been shown to raise appetite and promote fat storage.

In addition, lack of sleep can lead to fatigue, making it harder to exercise regularly. Finally, research has shown that people who don’t get enough sleep tend to have higher levels of ghrelin, a hunger-stimulating hormone.

All these factors increase the probability that you’ll gain weight if you’re not getting enough shut-eye. Aim for no less than seven to eight hours of sleep per night to keep your metabolism running smoothly.

Ignoring Stress

Another factor that can impact your metabolism is stress. When you’re stressed, your body produces the hormone cortisol. This hormone has been shown to accelerate appetite and promote fat storage. In addition, cortisol can make it harder for your body to burn calories efficiently.

Finding ways to control stress effectively is crucial if you’re wondering how to improve your slow metabolism. Exercise, meditation, and time with friends or family can all help reduce stress levels.

Dehydration

Dehydration can cause your metabolism to slow for several reasons. First, your body is more likely to store water when you’re dehydrated, leading to water retention and bloating. This can make you feel lethargic and sluggish, which can, in turn, lead to a decrease in physical activity and a slower metabolism.

Second, dehydration can cause your body to produce less energy, which means you’ll burn fewer calories throughout the day. Finally, dehydration can lead to headaches and dizziness, making it difficult to focus on physical activity or exercise.

Calcium Deficiency

A well-functioning metabolism is essential for good health, and calcium plays a vital role in regulating metabolism. Calcium deficiency can therefore have a significant impact on your health.

One of the ways in which calcium deficiency can slow your metabolism is by affecting your thyroid gland. The thyroid gland releases hormones that control metabolism, and calcium is necessary for the proper function of this gland. Without enough calcium, the thyroid gland cannot produce enough of these hormones, resulting in a slowed metabolism.

Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the things that make your metabolism slow. When you drink alcohol, your body breaks it down into acetate. This compound competes with other nutrients, such as glucose, for absorption. As a result, your metabolism slows down to prioritize the processing of alcohol.

In addition, alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration, which can have an even more significant impact on your metabolism. Therefore, if you’re trying to speed up your metabolism, it’s best to limit your intake of alcoholic beverages.

Cheat Meals

When trying to lose weight, cheat meals can seem like a tempting way to break your diet without completely derailing your progress. But while indulging in your favorite foods may give you a brief boost in energy and mood, it can also have unwanted consequences, such as slowing your metabolism.

Your metabolism is the process by which your body converts food into energy. And when you eat a large number of calories in a short period, it can take your body longer to process all that food. As a result, your metabolism slows down, and you burn fewer calories throughout the day.

In addition, cheat meals are often high in unhealthy fats and simple carbohydrates, promoting weight gain and contributing to other health problems. So while they may seem harmless fun, cheat meals can significantly impact your health and waistline.

Lack Of Physical Activity

Exercising is one of the tested ways to boost your metabolism. When you exercise, your body needs to use more energy to fuel your muscles. In the end, you burn extra calories and help your body become more efficient at using energy.

In addition, regular physical activity can help build muscle mass. Muscle tissue is more metabolically active than fat tissue, so increasing muscle mass helps speed up your metabolism even when resting.

However, if you lead an exercise-free lifestyle, your muscles will atrophy, and your metabolism will slow down over time. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure you get enough physical activity daily to keep your metabolism high.

Medications

Medications can also have a great impact on your metabolism. Some medications, such as those used to treat diabetes, can cause your body to be less efficient at using energy. As a result, you may burn fewer calories throughout the day and gain weight.

Other medications, such as steroids, can also lead to weight gain by promoting the growth of muscle tissue. While this might not appear serious, it can negatively impact your health if you don’t get enough physical activity to offset the increased calorie intake.

Therefore, if you’re taking medication, you must speak with your doctor about how it might affect your metabolism and whether there are any lifestyle changes you need to make.

Regular Sea Salt

One of the things that make your metabolism slow is regular sea salt. While sodium is an essential nutrient, too much of it can lead to water retention and bloating. This can make you feel sluggish, causing your metabolism to slow down.

To avoid this, limiting your intake of foods high in sodium, such as processed meats, fast food, and canned soups, is best. You should also avoid adding more salt to your meals. Instead, choose low-sodium alternatives or use herbs and spices to flavor your food.

Health Conditions

While slow metabolism is a common problem, some health conditions can cause your metabolism to slow down. One of the most common conditions is hypothyroidism, a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones.

Thyroid hormones are vital in regulating your metabolism, so your metabolism can slow down when it’s not produced sufficiently. Other health conditions impacting your metabolism include Cushing’s syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

If you think you might have a medical condition that’s impacting your metabolism, it’s essential to speak with your doctor so they can run the appropriate tests and determine the best course of treatment.

How to improve slow metabolism?

Metabolism is a complex process; as mentioned above, many things can impact how fast or slow it is. Is it possible to establish a proper metabolism? Yes. But, it takes a lot of effort, time, and consistency. Following a healthy lifestyle, including eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep, are some ways to establish a healthy metabolism.