Metabolismo, which is Spanish for “Metabolism”, is one word that has gained a lot of popularity in health and fitness circles. While some folks understand exactly what this term means, many only assume they know what it means, leading to a wrong interpretation of concepts and ideas.
To help a wider range of people understand the true meaning of this word, Frank Suarez, a Puerto Rican who specialized in obesity and body metabolism, wrote a book that broke it all down into bits that can be understood by all.
In this article, we will be looking at the word “metabolism” through the lenses of Frank Suarez as laid out in his book – “El Poder del Metabolismo” (The Power of Your Metabolism). Through the explanations shared in this book, you will come to a better understanding of how to make your body metabolism work for you.
What Exactly is Metabolism?
There are important chemical reactions that the body requires to function optimally, even to stay alive. These chemical reactions can be broken down into two parts. These two parts are:
1. Catabolism– This is a process that breaks things down into usable bits. So, when you eat a meal, this process breaks it down into the energy that the body requires to function.
2. Anabolism– This is the second part that does the opposite of what Catabolism does. This part of the process builds on the energy that was generated from the first process.
It’s these two opposite sides that make up the body’s metabolism. So, when we talk about “Metabolic Rate”, we are simply referring to the rate at which these reactions occur in the body.
This rate, which scientists call the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), is thought to be pre-determined by factors such as genetics, age, hormones, and muscle mass. This is supposed to mean that a person’s BMR is set by the factors listed above, and nothing can be done about it.
Given that a person with a high BMR will burn calories much faster than one with a low BMR, the implication of having a set BMR, about body weight, is that a person with a low BMR will burn calories much more slowly, translating into weight gain. The flip side is that a high BMR will result in less weight gain.
Suarez’s Hypothesis
With the premise set above, people with a low Basal Metabolic Rate seem to be condemned to a life of weight gain. Suarez disagreed with this, teaching that this BMR is not set per individuals. His hypothesis is that this is a system that can be tweaked. That is, a person with a slow metabolic rate can tweak it to become faster, reducing weight gain that arises from a slow metabolic rate.
So, Suarez basically pointed out that a slow BMR was the result of certain factors like hormonal imbalance, poor digestion and inadequate nutrition. To this end, rather than adopt a blanket fix, he noted that the solution had to be person-specific. That is, what was causing the slow metabolism had to first be determined before a solution could be proffered.
Key Points from Suarez’s Hypothesis
Since we are not doing an in-depth breakdown of Frank Suarez’s book, let’s keep this short by picking out some of the stand-out points that he made. This will make it easier for you to understand his viewpoint and the solutions he offered.
Diet
This is one factor that Frank Suarez considered to be among the main culprits. In the same vein, he also saw it as a key to tweaking the body’s metabolic rate as desired.About diet, he noted that it was not just a function of how much was eaten, but also what was eaten and when it was eaten.
He warned that starvation could hurt the body. This because, as a defence mechanism, the body could, in its attempt to save energy, further slow its metabolic rate to ensure that the already stored calories lasts for as long as possible.
He pushed for diets high in protein as these are known to have high thermic effects. That is, they offer more energy to be digested.
Hormones
Hormonal imbalance was another major factor in Suarez’s hypothesis. According to him, hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid will slow the body down. He linked the cause of hypothyroidism to poor diet consisting of processed foods.
To correct this, he advocates a switch to a healthier diet. This should include healthy fats, vegetables, and lean meats.
Others
There are a few other factors that he discussed. These include:
· Age – Though this has some effect on the body’s metabolic rate, it is negligible. You will agree that a 1 to 2% reduction in the BMR per decade from age 30 is not something to be worried about.
· Dehydration – While we know that dehydration can be dangerous to the body, Frank Suarez noted that even mild dehydration can impact the rate at which the body carries on its metabolic activities. He therefore encourages optimal hydration. He even suggested the use of lemon water as a means of supporting the system.
· Muscle Activity – Everyone knows that exercise burns up calories. What many may,however,not know, which Suarez pointed out, is that the muscles speed up the metabolic process even when they are at rest. It therefore means that the benefits of working those muscles continue even when you are done with the exercise routine.
You can watch this video to learn more about how to speed up your body’s metabolism, thereby improving your weight loss.
Conclusion
Obesity can easily be classified as a plague in today’s modern world. With millions of people searching for answers and how to keep their weight down, this article provides a basic background to the ground-breaking teachings of a leader in this field – Frank Suarez. By following his teachings, millions have seen results they never thought possible.
You too can if you follow them. So get started and begin to live your best life.