Metabolism is the most important function in the human body. If this process is disrupted or proceeds slowly, then the organs begin to function incorrectly. You can eliminate this problem with medications, or use herbs to normalize metabolism. In this article we will get acquainted with different herbs and methods of preparing medicines.
Is it possible to speed up your metabolism to lose weight?
You can lose weight not only by reducing calories, but also by speeding up your metabolism.
There are effective methods for this, which together give excellent results:
- move more, do cardio and strength training;
- eat enough protein and other foods that speed up metabolism;
- do not starve yourself;
- drink enough water (1.5 to 2.5 liters per day);
- drink caffeinated drinks;
- get enough sleep.
Important! Research shows that when consuming less than 1000 kcal per day, the body will go into “energy conservation” mode, reducing the metabolic rate. Thus, he protects himself from hunger and death.
Be sure to see: Is it possible to eat corn while on a diet: benefits and harms? Get a complete set of proteins, fats and carbohydrates from Doshirak dietary products on a diet: is it possible to eat fast food products? Is it possible to eat soy sauce while on a diet: all the myths and truth
Nettle
Nettle perfectly cleanses the body and improves metabolism, from which tea is brewed, juice is squeezed, and decoctions and infusions are made.
The list of effects from consuming nettle is impressive:
- removal of toxins and waste;
- decreased blood sugar;
- strengthening the immune system;
- renewal of mucous membranes;
- stimulation of the work of all internal organs;
- relief from stress;
- normalization of acid-base balance.
Contraindications:
- chronic renal or heart failure;
- pregnancy;
- high blood clotting;
- blood clots;
- gastritis and ulcers;
- hypertension;
- atherosclerosis.
If you are looking for which herbs are the most effective for accelerating metabolism, then be sure to take a closer look at nettle, because it is enough to take 1-2 courses a year to maintain normal metabolic processes. In addition, it is very accessible: in the spring you can prepare nettles for the whole season, and the dry raw material does not lose its medicinal properties.
Nettle tea recipe
Wash the entire plant (leaves, stem and roots). Dry with a paper towel. Grind. If you take a ready-made pharmacy mixture, then immediately proceed to brewing. Pour 4 teaspoons with a liter of boiling water. Drink the tea warm (but not hot!), taking small sips. Frequency: a cup twice a day - morning and evening. Course – 1-2 months.
What foods speed up metabolic processes and promote weight loss (list)
Metabolism boosting foods are simple and accessible. These are vegetables, fruits, whole grains. They are rich in substances that improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The basis of good metabolism can be called proteins and fiber. Therefore, fish and meat with vegetable side dishes and salad are welcome on the table.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids, collagen, and vitamin C also affect metabolism.
Let's name the foods and drinks that are among the ten most essential for slimming.
| The product's name | Its features |
| Green tea | The most important advantage of the drink is epigallocatechin gallate. This substance is contained in this type of tea and promotes the process of burning fat cells. Even 3-4 cups of the drink will help you get rid of 70 calories. Therefore, it is recommended to drink this amount of tea every day. |
| Fish | Marine fish species are especially beneficial for your figure. They are rich not only in protein, which forces the body to expend considerable energy on its processing, but also in healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. These acids, in particular, regulate sugar levels and fight inflammation. |
| Celery | This product has a “negative calorie content”. That is, the body spends more energy processing it than it receives from this product. The thing is that celery is rich in fiber. And also - a set of vitamins and minerals that promote the breakdown of lipid cells. The effect can be enhanced by adding ginger or cinnamon to celery in a weight loss recipe as a seasoning. |
| Chocolate | This delicacy contains magnesium, which normalizes carbohydrate metabolism. It also affects the synthesis of adiponectin. This hormone activates the fat burning process. |
| Beans | A product containing both protein and fiber is the main thing you need to be slim. Another advantage of beans is the presence of iron. And it is involved in the delivery of oxygen to tissue cells, which helps convert fat cells into energy. |
| Berries and fruits | Their benefit lies in their rich content of fiber, antioxidants and vitamin C. Fiber takes a lot of energy from the body for its processing, helps cleanse the intestines, and vitamins and antioxidants perfectly restore muscle tissue after microtrauma. |
| Meat broth on bones | This product contains protein, collagen and beneficial minerals. Collagen restores and normalizes the intestinal mucosa, food is absorbed better. And protein and minerals speed up metabolism. |
| Apple vinegar | This product activates the production of hydrochloric acid and promotes food digestion. And if the digestion process is activated, it means that food absorption improves. |
| Coconut oil | This oil stabilizes the functioning of the thyroid gland, and it is the main regulator of metabolic processes. The fatty acids that coconut oil is rich in are quickly converted into energy, which causes your metabolism to speed up. The product can be used with sandwiches without heat treatment or as oil for cooking meat and vegetables. |
| Coffee | The product is rich in caffeine. It stimulates metabolism and central nervous system function. It has been proven that one cup of coffee helps you burn 75-110 kcal. |
Oregano
Oregano, known to many as the spice of oregano, is an excellent source of vitamin K, which is essential for good metabolism.
Effect:
- improves digestion;
- has a mild laxative effect;
- calms and relieves insomnia.
Important! Oregano greatly stimulates the appetite, and this should be taken into account by those who are on a diet.
Contraindications:
- pregnancy (may cause bleeding);
- hypertension,
- ulcers and pathologies of the stomach;
- heart and vascular diseases.
Oregano infusion recipe
Take a tablespoon of crushed leaves (fresh or dry) or a ready-made medicine. Pour a glass of boiling water. Insist for half an hour. Strain before use. Drink small portions throughout the day.
Fresh oregano leaves can be added to regular tea to give it a minty-lemon, tart-spicy aroma.
Lifestyle: sport as a factor in accelerating processes in the body
Technological progress has significantly reduced people's physical activity. Most people lead an inactive lifestyle.
Sports loads lead to acceleration of metabolic processes. Even if you don’t engage in serious sports, but regularly do some exercises, dance, swim, this will allow you to regulate your weight and be more cheerful. And after training, the activity of metabolic processes will continue for another hour.
The body will burn fat more actively if you build muscle and include cardio and strength exercises in your workouts. To speed up your metabolism, many trainers recommend exercising three times a week for at least 40 minutes. This is enough to noticeably accelerate metabolic processes.
Whole grain food
Any diet always includes cereals and whole grains. This choice is based on the fact that whole grains contain many nutritional components, complex carbohydrates and vitamins that speed up metabolism and normalize insulin levels in the blood. Thus, foods that improve metabolism are wheat, corn, rice, buckwheat, oats and many other grains. It is necessary to eat them daily, because in addition to metabolism, they improve the functioning of almost all body systems. They are extremely useful for the gastrointestinal tract, as they are able to stabilize and improve its functioning. And with the correct functioning of these organs, the problem of excess weight, poor health, and difficulties in the functioning of the cardiovascular system automatically go away.
Supplements and products
Supplements and remedies help your metabolism speed up. This:
- B vitamins;
- fat burning (based on L-carnitine);
- biologically active additives;
- stimulants;
- reducing appetite.
Often two types of drugs are used:
- anabolics;
- hormonal agents.
In the first case, the active substances are: male hormone - testosterone or amphetamine. And hormonal ones are usually based on a high concentration of L-thyroxine. Both drugs are unsafe and are fraught with consequences if used for a long time.
Despite the variety of supplements and weight loss products, their safety and appropriateness are determined by a doctor, with whom you should definitely consult.
Red beans
After eating a serving of red beans, a person is guaranteed to remain full for at least 3 hours. This effect is associated with a high fiber content, which the body will have to digest, expending energy.
Beans are recommended for women who want to not only burn fat, but also gain muscle mass. Group vitamins and zinc are responsible for this, which increase testosterone.
Another beneficial property of red beans is that they cleanse the intestines with the help of the resistant starch they contain. It destroys pathogenic microflora and is almost not digested.
What the professionals say
Experts in proper nutrition share the opinion that everyone can activate metabolic processes through food and healthy habits. But there is no magic recipe in nature. The result is achieved through effort.
Carolyn Cederquist, MD, author of The MD Factor Diet
This doctor recommends taking steps to preserve muscle before losing weight. Thanks to this, you can form a good figure and control your weight. For this you need proteins - at least 30% of the total food per day.
Laurie Kenyon Furley, nutritionist, author of anti-aging programs
This specialist warns that artificial stimulants can greatly disrupt your well-being. Preference should be given to healthy food.
Christina Meyer, nutrition and health specialist
This specialist is confident that tablets and powders will quickly give results, but subsequently the person risks ending up in a hospital bed. Only adequate food and sufficient exercise lead to a fit figure and good health.
Kristen Trukova, director of the oncology nutrition clinic
This doctor notes that the normal act of eating food boosts your metabolism. It is called the “thermal effect” of products. Due to thermogenesis, up to 10% of calories are consumed daily. If, for example, 1800 kcal is received from food, then 180 kcal will be expended as a result of thermogenesis. Therefore, you need to eat more often and in normal portions, including fat-burning foods. Fasting can only slow down your metabolism. You need to eat regularly and watch your calories.
Palinski-Wade, nutritionist, bestselling author of Belly Fat for Fools
This doctor recommends eating fish, especially sea fish, three times a week to improve metabolic processes. Omega-3 fatty acids calm nerves, reduce the amount of stress hormone, which has a positive effect on metabolic rate.
Every 10 years, metabolism slows down by 10%. Therefore, as you age, you need to reduce your caloric intake and live more active. Men have a naturally more active metabolism than women. Dehydration slows down your metabolism.
How does metabolic rate affect appearance?
If metabolism is incorrect, they suffer from:
- Skin: Acne, pimples, pustular rashes.
- Dark spots.
- Dryness and flaking.
- All metabolic problems are visible on the face. Then on the hands and all over the body. All means of combating skin problems must be combined with measures to improve metabolism.
Main conclusions
To gain a slim figure, you need to eat foods that improve your well-being and help speed up metabolic processes. The most active among them are vegetables, fruits and berries, fish, many spices and drinks. To make the process more active, you need to:
- exercise at least 3-4 times a week;
- use the right supplements and weight loss products;
- don't be hungry.
There are no magic weight loss products. They are only assistants in metabolic processes.
Medication method
People who really need to slow down metabolic processes can seek the help of a specialist and not deal with this problem on their own. Today in the medical arsenal there are special drugs that slow down metabolism. They are called "antimetabolites". Doctors often prescribe Apilak to patients. This antimetabolite is specifically designed to help people with overly active metabolisms.
Dark green leafy vegetables
Spinach, kale and other leafy green vegetables can boost your metabolism due to their iron content. Iron is an essential mineral for metabolism, growth and development.
Green leafy vegetables are a source of non-heme iron. Try combining leafy greens with a source of vitamin C—such as lemon, tomatoes, or bell peppers—to increase your body's absorption of this type of iron.
Many green leafy vegetables also contain high amounts of magnesium, another mineral that supports metabolic function and is involved in more than 300 processes in the body ().
Ginger
Including ginger in your meals can increase body temperature and metabolic rate, and help control appetite.
A 2021 research review assessed the effects of ginger on weight loss and metabolic profiles in overweight people. It has been found that the spice can help reduce body weight and fasting glucose levels while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good" cholesterol ().
Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce nausea during pregnancy and after chemotherapy ().
Coffee
No matter how the supporters of proper nutrition may oppose it, a cup of coffee for breakfast is a good way not only to cheer up, but also to kick-start your metabolism. Caffeine actively fights fat deposits in the body, so we are talking only about natural, freshly brewed coffee. It is advisable to drink it without sugar, cream and other additives. You shouldn’t be too zealous - two or three cups of this drink a day is enough.
People with a tendency to high blood pressure or digestive problems are advised to consult with their doctor before including coffee in their diet.
