Fast metabolism naturally implies burning more calories than normally required. It also demands taking in more calories to maintain the level of energy required for a body to function the way it should. The current article, therefore, looks at the various implications of fast metabolism, its causes, and signs.
Fast Metabolism – What It Is and What Makes It Happen?
👉 Defining Fast Metabolism
As specified above, a fast metabolism is when you burn more calories than you are expected to. The rate of metabolism is higher in people who can instantly burn more calories than those who are sluggish or less active. It further indicates that those with fast metabolism are way more active than others who are either less or not active at all.
Besides, people with higher metabolic rates always stay slim and healthy than those who are overweight despite consuming only a very few calories.
👉 Why Some People Burn More Calories?
Since it sounds rather unfair for people who are overweight despite cutting down on high caloric intake, it all lies in one’s genetic makeup and also the environment one is born in. Why some people gain a lot of weight even without eating much and others stay slim despite consuming more calories is all related to the way metabolism works in them.
While ‘metabolism’ has been explained as a series of chemical reactions happening in a living organism, which help it to create and break down energy to sustain its life, the rate at which one metabolizes one’s caloric intake is what determines whether one has fast or slow metabolism.
Signs Of High Metabolic Rates
As stated above, it is the rate at which an individual can burn calories that determines if he/she is metabolizing fast or not. Further, the fact that BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) signifies the energy required for a body to function at rest, it is the genes one inherits that decide if one can expend more or less energy when staying inactive (or at rest).
It is also important to note here that daily physical activity and exercise have a prominent role in defining one’s metabolic rate. Thus, if you are one with high metabolism, this typically indicates that you are very active and fidgeting. However, being active is only an added factor for those genetically programmed to have a fast metabolic rate!Â
Some of the typical signs associated with fast metabolism have included the following:
👉 Difficulty gaining weight: People metabolizing fast will likely face issues with putting on enough weight that their age and level of activities demand. Eating regularly has the least effect on your body weight.
👉 High body temperature: It is normal for body temperature to rise after being active for quite a bit of time. However, those having fast metabolic rates tend to heat up even when they are at rest.
👉 Having an insatiable appetite: People with high metabolic rates often find it difficult to satiate their appetite even after eating a heavy meal.
👉 Irregular menstrual cycle: Missing periods are a common sight with those having high metabolic rates. This does not, however, suggest that they are pregnant.
👉 Frequent urination: Because one’s body’s processes are at high speed, it is natural for one to pass urine more often.
What Are The Risks Involved in Fast Metabolism?
Though it is considered a boon because one can eat more without the fear of building on fat and becoming overweight, fast metabolism does carry its own risks. Burning more calories than the required amount even when resting indicates fast energy exhaustion and less energy storage for staying active. Calorie deficit as it is otherwise called, is the root cause of excessive weight loss. The other issues associated with fast metabolism have included:
👉 Tendency to binge eat: Some people are more likely to binge on unhealthy foods. The tendency to satiate their hunger is so high that they tend to eat anything that comes their way, even if these are junk foods, such as ice cream, pastries, chips, etc. Over time, these tendencies can give rise to severe health issues, such as those affecting the heart or the liver.
👉 Acute Stress Response: Experiencing extreme amounts of stress can likely put the body in a fast-acting mode. Since metabolic rate surge in these instances, which is already high, the feeding suppression tendency causes more reduced weight gain. Consulting with a physician will be appropriate in such instances since it will rule out any chronic medical condition.
Read More:- 3 Best Metabolism Booster Supplements For Weight Loss 2023- Top List!
Conclusion
Having had a brief discussion on what fast metabolism implies and what its signs are, it could be concluded that this is mainly brought on by genes, though excessive physical activity can be a definitive contributor.
Burning more calories than those ingested prevents one from putting on extra weight. However, issues can erupt when one fails to get to normal weight, especially when one is stressed. Since these situations aggravate the already high metabolic rate, these can suggest a seriously underlying health issue.
Citations
Harvard Health Publishing (2021) Does metabolism matter in weight loss? Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diet-and-weight-loss/does-metabolism-matter-in-weight-loss#:~:text=If%20your%20metabolism%20is%20%22high,than%20others%20without%20gaining%20weight. (Accessed: 15 September 2023).
Klepchukova, A. (2022) Crucial Facts About High Metabolism Everyone Needs to Know. Available at: https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/lifestyle/diet-and-nutrition/facts-about-high-metabolism (Accessed: 15 September 2023).
Rabasa, C. and Dickson, S.L. (2016) Impact of stress on metabolism and energy balance. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 9, pp. 71-77.
