Our health is closely linked to our metabolic processes. These determine which food components our body can convert into energy. Equally important is our body's ability to efficiently excrete the unusable end products of metabolism.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word metabolism? Perhaps you think that your metabolism is too slow and that you therefore gain weight more easily. You may also think of problems with your metabolism because you have digestive problems. In fact, various metabolic processes are constantly taking place in the human body.
The term metabolism refers to all biochemical processes in a living organism. An optimally functioning metabolism keeps us vital – and we can support it at various levels.
Perhaps you, like many people, primarily associate your metabolism with your digestion. However, the two processes are not completely the same.
It would be more accurate to say that metabolism is dependent on digestion. In other words, digestion is the essential prerequisite for metabolism. This becomes easy to understand when you consider the various processes that take place in the stomach and intestines:
The stomach and intestines are the places in our body where nutrients are broken down into their components. Complex macronutrients such as carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars, proteins into amino acids and fats into fatty acids. The reason for these conversion processes is that the intestines can only absorb nutrients in a broken-down form. From the intestine, they can then enter the blood in a fragmented form. Here they are transported further, for example to various organs such as the liver.
When we talk about metabolism in general, we mean all the biochemical processes that lead to the conversion of food substances and breakdown products. In fact, there are different types of metabolism based on the food components that are processed in each metabolic segment. These are:
Experts also distinguish a mineral metabolism.
Metabolism can also be categorised differently: the metabolism breaks down substances with its various metabolic functions.
If substances are built up, this is called anabolism. Carbohydrate metabolism, for example, is largely an anabolic metabolism. Here, broken-down individual substances that have entered the circulation and cells from food are converted back into starch molecules in the liver and in the muscle cells. These starch molecules are then stored. In the context of muscle building, the term anabolism is often used. This refers to the fact that proteins are built up into tissue.
Catabolism is the breakdown of metabolic products. These broken down and decomposed metabolic parts are used to produce energy. The body stores nutrients in various depots and storage organs such as the liver through metabolic functions. When the body needs energy, it draws on these stored nutrients, breaks them down and consumes them. For example, the starch stored in the liver can be converted into energy.
Metabolic disorders are characterised by the improper functioning of the utilisation of various nutrients, resulting in the improper absorption of a substance needed by the body or its failure to arrive at the correct destination.
Food intolerances are partly metabolic disorders, because the lack of certain enzymes can prevent food components from being properly digested and absorbed. Disorders can occur in a wide variety of metabolic processes, including fat metabolism and mineral metabolism.
If you take a closer look at metabolic disorders, it becomes apparent that the various metabolic functions depend on the presence of other substances.
For example, various enzymes are responsible for ensuring that food components such as fructose or lactose can be properly digested. If these enzymes are absent, digestive disorders can occur, leading to metabolic disorders. In the case of diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough of the hormone insulin, or stops producing it altogether. This means that carbohydrates – carbohydrates are sugars – can no longer be properly metabolised.
Perhaps you have also heard or read time and again that you simply have to boost your metabolism to lose weight. But which metabolism are we talking about here? The answer is actually not quite as simple as the question sounds. In addition to the substances mentioned for metabolic functions, there is also an energy metabolism. This is about how much energy we consume. When you find a calorie count on a food, this refers to the energy present in that food.
People have a certain basal metabolic rate, which is the energy they consume at rest. In addition, there is also the energy that results from movement. If you want to lose weight, you have to consume more energy than you take in. This forces the body to access existing stores and use them for energy. Is it possible to boost your metabolism at all? As a rule, you can't just increase your basic metabolic rate or get it going, as they say. However, you can influence your basal metabolic rate by building more muscle mass. Muscles consume energy at rest. More muscles mean a higher basal metabolic rate. A person's metabolic rate can be increased through more movement, for example through sport, and thus the demand for energy is increased.
Fruits such as mango or papaya contain enzymes that strengthen the digestive function and are said to contribute to a better energy metabolism. Green tea and coffee are also said to increase heat production, which in turn is said to lead to more energy consumption.
Nutritionists and doctors are still trying to ascertain the exact reasons for such possible effects. Laboratory experiments suggest that certain plant extracts or certain isolated food ingredients in high concentrations can have a positive influence on fat burning.
Usually, a change in the human metabolism can be achieved by a combination of various factors. As described, more muscle increases the basal metabolic rate and thus energy consumption. Muscles need movement, i.e. a stimulus, and protein as a building material to grow. If the body has sufficient amino acids available, this can have a positive effect on muscle growth during exercise.
Since the metabolism involves more than just the absorption of food components, the detoxification aspect is also very important for the metabolism. Various plant substances and food components can be used to support the detoxification function of the metabolism. This aspect also plays a role, for example, in efforts to lose weight.
If you move more because you do more sport, more substances are released in the body that have to be excreted. The liver, kidneys and skin have a lot to do here. That is why a sufficient fluid intake also has a positive effect on the metabolism in general. In addition, various herbal extracts can support the liver and kidneys in their work.
All metabolic processes are important for our survival and well-being. If you want to support your metabolism, you can start with your digestive function. When it comes to losing weight, the focus can be on individual metabolic functions such as fat metabolism.
The balance between acids and bases is of enormous importance to ensure that all metabolic processes and bodily functions can run smoothly.
