Metabolism

Metabolism is processes within the body that convert food and other substances into energy and other metabolic byproducts used by the body. The process of metabolism is really a balancing act involving two kinds of activities that go on at the same time — the building up of body tissues and energy stores and the breaking down of body tissues and energy stores to generate more fuel for body functions. Metabolism is a constant process that begins when we're conceived and ends when we die.

Your fast metabolism can quickly slow down with age. Diet can have an extreme impact on your metabolism. Certain foods can either slow down your metabolism and make your body gain weight or it can speed up your metabolism and help you burn calories and fat. Junk food can also slow down your metabolism so if you want to keep your fast metabolism you should start eating healthy. An easy way to do it is to make your own juices and smoothies!!

Exercise has a major effect on your metabolism. The more you move the more your heart has to pump to keep the right nutrients in your muscles. This has a great effect on your body's ability to burn calories (energy metabolism). Any type of exercise effects metabolism in a positive (increasing) fashion.

How can you boost metabolism?

Strength training (otherwise known as resistance training) is another way to boost your metabolism. This can be done with light weights and a high number of repetitions, or a higher intensity lifting with fewer repetitions, both working on large muscle groups. The result will be the same - more muscle mass which translates into a higher metabolism.

Do you put on more weight when you eat late at night?

I read the following on the web. Not sure how much truth is here and what to believe.

Eating food in the hours just before bedtime may need to be avoided. Any calories consumed in the evening will count more. They usually cite the "fact" that a person's metabolism slows down significantly in the evening, or that no one burns calories in the middle of the night. Your metabolism is completely shut down in the midnight. Any fruit contains natural sugar which will not be processed until 7AM at which your biological clock wakes up and starts digesting again.

When we consume fried food late at night, the digestion process takes place constantly within us, seriously affecting our sleep. A person should hit the bed at least three hours after the last meal. Fried food late at night also leads to acidity that again hampers sound sleep and adds to your body weight.


Further info :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolism
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body_basics/metabolism.html
http://www.theage.com.au/
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/HealthSci/