The biggest two factors that slow metabolism are inactivity and a poor diet. A poor diet goes beyond eating high-calorie foods, it also depends on the nutrients you're consuming. If you're experiencing a vitamin deficiency, then your metabolism is going to struggle.
A Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to long-term weight control problems. When the body's natural balance is disrupted, it typically responds by slowing down your metabolism, conserving fat stores, and burning fewer calories throughout the day.
B-complex vitamins: These help metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, activating stored energy instead of letting it turn to fat. Niacin, vitamin B-6, and iron: This impressive trio increases your body's production of the amino acid L-carnitine to help burn fat.
Decreased appetite and weight loss. As a result of digestive problems, such as nausea, people with vitamin B-12 deficiency may lose their appetite. A decreased appetite can lead to weight loss in the long term.
Symptoms when vitamin D is low
"Most patients with vitamin D deficiency are asymptomatic, however if you're exhausted, your bones hurt, you have muscle weakness or mood changes, that's an indication that something may be abnormal with your body," says Dr. Lacey. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may include: Fatigue.
Metabolism-Boosting Powers: Fish (salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel) are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Your body burns slightly more calories digesting protein than fat and carbohydrates. Tip: The American Heart Association recommends people should eat fatty fish at least two times per week.
The four most successful supplement ingredients for metabolism are caffeine, capsaicin, fiber, and choline. Specific to caffeine, Green Tea and Green Coffee Extracts are especially helpful; for fiber, Glucomannan has shown promising results.
A vitamin B12 deficiency may increase the risk of fat storage, impair protein synthesis, and leave you too tired to exercise—all of which may lead you to gain weight.
B12 has many properties that are beneficial for your body. For example, it affects your metabolism and body fat. One animal study showed that a lack of B12 causes an increase in obesity and cholesterol. Another study found that B vitamins can reduce weight gain and promote weight loss by boosting your metabolism.
Low vitamin D and weight gain are related in other ways too – Studies have suggested that vitamin D plays a major role in releasing leptin, the hormone controlling the hunger senses and fat storage in the body. Vitamin D deficiency affects both senses, leading to weight gain.
Physical Inactivity: Lack of exercise or physical activity can cause fat gain and slow our metabolism. Once we start exercising, our heart rate increases and blood pumps through our muscles. When you are working out, your muscles are burning calories and your metabolism increases.
Some conditions, like an underactive or overactive thyroid and diabetes, are hormonal diseases that affect your metabolism. Stress also releases hormones that can trigger a slow-down. What you can do: If you have a medical condition, keep up with your treatment. And make it a priority to nip stress in the bud.
Vitamin B6 is one of the most central molecules in cells of living organisms. It is a critical co-factor for a diverse range of biochemical reactions that regulate basic cellular metabolism, which impact overall physiology.
Consuming More Protein
Regarding the best healthy diet plans, protein-rich food yields the best results. Digesting high-protein foods demands higher energy levels than carbohydrates or fats. As a result, your metabolism rate is boosted by 15-30%, compared to 5-10% for carbs and 0-3% for fat.
B-12 is essential for the metabolism of proteins and fats . It needs B-6 and folate to work correctly. B-6 also helps metabolize protein. Thiamine helps the body metabolize fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
You can become deficient in vitamin D for different reasons: You don't get enough vitamin D in your diet. You don't absorb enough vitamin D from food (a malabsorption problem) You don't get enough exposure to sunlight.
When to take vitamin D. It just plain doesn't matter, as long as you take it with food, says Dr. Manson. Her advice: Take it when you'll remember to take it — morning, noon or night — and take it with a meal, she says.
Muscle weakness due to vitamin D deficiency is predominantly of the proximal muscle groups and is manifested by a feeling of heaviness in the legs, tiring easily, and difficulty in mounting stairs and rising from a chair; the deficiency is reversible with supplementation (15–18).