Cells forming muscle, nerves or liver tissue use more energy than those forming fat. Although some factors can cause temporary changes in energy use, cells generally hum along at a rate that is sufficient for their role. One way to nudge the metabolism needle is to change the amount of some cell types by building more lean mass or muscle.

More muscle means more metabolically demanding muscle cells, which translates into a higher resting metabolism. Individual differences in this mass underlie most of the variation in metabolism from person to person, according to Urlacher.

Two people with the same body weight but different proportions of lean mass to fat can eat the same number of calories and still have different weight-gain outcomes.

In terms of weight loss, the timing of a gym visit also might make a tiny difference, Urlacher says. A resting heart rate of 50 beats per minute for one person versus 70 for another just means the heart with the slower resting rate might be more efficient at getting oxygen to tissues, Pontzer says.

Bumping up an exercise regimen to burn through more calories may also seem like a sure way to boost metabolism and lose weight.

Evidence suggests instead that daily energy expenditure has a boundary. If you try to push past this boundary, the body adjusts metabolic expenditure in other activities to get back inside the lines. This energy compensation may explain why simply adding more miles a week can yield fitness and other gains but has little effect on weight.

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There are several easy and effective ways to support your metabolism, many of which involve making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle. Your metabolism is responsible for converting nutrients from the foods you eat into fuel. This provides your body with the energy it needs to breathe, move, digest food, circulate blood, and repair damaged tissues and cells.

The higher your metabolic rate, the more calories you burn at rest. There are several evidence-based strategies that can help increase your metabolism to support weight management and overall health.

This is called the thermic effect of food TEF. Protein causes the largest rise in TEF. Eating more protein can also reduce the drop in metabolism often associated with losing fat. This is because protein helps prevent muscle loss, which is a common side effect of dieting.

High-intensity interval training HIIT involves quick and very intense bursts of activity. If this type of exercise is safe for you, it can help indirectly speed up your metabolism. Your muscle cells will burn energy at rest, which helps you burn fat and build muscle.

This effect is believed to be greater for HIIT than for other types of exercise. To get started, choose a modality, such as biking or running, that you are already familiar with. Mixing up your exercise routine and adding in a few high-intensity workouts can boost your metabolism and help you burn fat.

Muscle is more metabolically active than fat. Building muscle can help increase your metabolism to help you burn more calories each day, even at rest. Lifting weights can also help you retain muscle and counter the drop in metabolism that can occur during weight loss.

Lifting weights can help build and retain muscle. Higher amounts of muscle will result in a higher metabolism. Sitting too much can have negative effects on your health, partly because long periods of sitting burn fewer calories and can lead to weight gain. However, stepping rather than standing resulted in greater improvements to lower systolic blood pressure and insulin resistance.

If you have a desk job, try standing up and walking for short periods to break up the length of time you spend sitting down. You can also try going for walks during the day or invest in a standing desk. In a study , researchers found that doing this resulted in reduced blood insulin and sugar.

Sitting for a long time burns few calories and may negatively affect your health. Try standing up or taking walks regularly or investing in a standing desk.

Green tea and oolong tea help convert some of the fat stored in your body into free fatty acids, which may indirectly increase fat burning when combined with exercise. However, some older research suggests that these teas do not affect metabolism. Therefore, their effect may be small or only apply to some people.

Drinking green tea or oolong tea may affect your gut microbiome, which may be influencing the way your body breaks down fats, but research is mixed. Peppers contain capsaicin , a compound that can boost your metabolism.

For instance, one review evaluated the effects of capsaicin at acceptable doses. It predicted that eating peppers would burn around 10 additional calories per meal. Over 6. Alone, the effects of adding spices to your food may be quite small.

However, it may lead to a slight advantage when combined with other metabolism-boosting strategies. Eating spicy food could be beneficial for boosting your metabolism and help you maintain a moderate weight.

However, the metabolism-boosting effect of spicy foods is quite small. Lack of sleep is linked to a major increase in the chance of obesity.

Metabolism is the process by which your body converts food into energy. Modifiable factors influencing your metabolic rate include diet, physical activity, and sleep. Incorporating a high-protein diet, high-intensity exercise, strengthening, and better sleep habits are among the ways to boost your metabolism naturally.

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Effects of increased meal frequency on fat oxidation and perceived hunger. Tip: Add a scoop of low-fat cottage cheese to a berry smoothie for a non-traditional twist. Metabolism-Boosting Powers: Tempeh is a great protein substitute for meat if you are looking for a vegetarian option.

Metabolism-Boosting Powers: Water can suppress your appetite and maybe boost your metabolism for a short amount of time. Research suggests the more hydrated you are , the better able your body is at just about everything from thinking to making exercise easier.

Tip: Try starting the day off with a glass of water or drink a glass before you eat your meals. To determine how much water to drink per day, divide your weight in half. The number you get should be your liquid amount in ounces. Besides these healthy eating tips, one of the best ways to speed up your metabolism is with weight or muscle strengthening.

Lean muscle mass increases your metabolism. Muscle is metabolically active, which means people with lean, muscular bodies need more energy to function than people with a higher percentage of body fat.

Make sure to talk with your doctor before beginning any new workout routine. UnityPoint Health News and Articles 12 Metabolism-Boosting Foods to Aid Weight Loss.

Legumes Also known as beans Metabolism-Boosting Powers: Legume is a general term used to describe the seeds of plants that are in pods.

Chili Peppers Metabolism-Boosting Powers: Hot peppers like chili peppers and jalapeños contain the chemical capsaicin, which gives these vegetables their heat. Lean Meats Metabolism-Boosting Powers: Chicken, turkey and other protein-packed lean meats take more energy for your body to break down than carbohydrate or fat-rich foods, therefore, burning slightly more calories during the digestive process.

Low-Fat Milk Metabolism-Boosting Powers: The calcium and vitamin D found in milk are essential for building dense muscle mass, which is important for overall health.

Broccoli Metabolism-Boosting Powers: Broccoli is a member of the cruciferous vegetable family. Lentils Metabolism-Boosting Powers: Lentils are a type of legume and are packed with iron, magnesium and potassium.

Oatmeal Metabolism-Boosting Powers: This is a powerhouse full of fiber that will not only help you last through the morning without hunger but will slow down the release of sugar into your blood stream.

Berries Metabolism-Boosting Powers: Berries, such as blueberries and strawberries, are low in calories and high in fiber. Almonds Metabolism-Boosting Powers: Almonds contain lots of healthy fats, fiber and protein, which is a combination that curbs hunger.

Low-Fat Cottage Cheese Metabolism-Boosting Powers: Cottage cheese is low in fat, low in carbs and high in protein, making it ideal for healthy eaters. However, if you drink caffeine on a regular basis, this effect might be lessened. Talk to your doctor before adding more caffeine to your diet.

If you drink too many sweetened coffee drinks or chai tea, you could actually find yourself gaining weight! Capsaicin is the chemical that puts the hot in jalapeños. In fact, a review of 20 research studies, published in Appetite , found that capsaicin can increase the amount of calories you burn by approximately 50 calories a day.

Those calories can add up over time, contributing to long-term weight loss. So consider spicing it up in your kitchen! L-carnitine is a substance that helps your body turn fat into energy.

While your body produces it in your liver and kidneys, you can also find it in meat, dairy products, nuts, and legumes. L-carnitine may be helpful for treating a number of conditions, including heart disease, peripheral artery disease, and diabetic neuropathy. But its use as a dietary supplement for weight loss is questionable.

One study reported in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that L-carnitine might provide some anti-obesity benefits. But more research is needed to assess the benefits and risks of taking L-carnitine supplements for weight loss.

According to the Office of Dietary Supplements , taking too much of it can cause potentially dangerous side effects. Chromium is a mineral that your body uses in small amounts. Chromium picolinate supplements are useful for people who have a chromium deficiency. So far, researchers have given it a thumbs-down.

A pilot study reported in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that chromium picolinate supplements had no effect on weight loss.

As with many supplements, research on CLA has found mixed results. A review of studies published in the European Journal of Nutrition found evidence that CLA may promote weight loss and fat loss, but the effects were small and uncertain.

Gastrointestinal problems and fatigue are common side effects of taking CLA supplements, so you may want to pass on this one. Numerous studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of green tea for weight loss. Few have reported significant results. One study published in Physiology and Behavior does suggest that catechins and caffeine found in green tea may help support weight maintenance.

Resveratrol is a substance found in the skin of red grapes, mulberries, Japanese knotweed, and peanuts. Studies suggest it does burn fat in rats. More clinical trials are needed. Despite the hype, supplements that are promoted as fat busters and metabolism boosters rarely have a significant effect on weight loss.

If you want to shed excess pounds, cutting calories from your diet and exercising more regularly are probably your best bets.

Ask your doctor for more advice on losing weight in safe and sustainable ways. And talk to them before trying any weight loss medications or supplements. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Changing how your body burns calories can help you lose weight. Read more on how to increase your metabolism with your diet.