Originally published December 29 2005
Physicians debate over how to increase metabolic rates
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Cedric Bryant of the American Council on Exercise discusses how maintaining or increasing lean muscle impacts a person's resting metabolic rate, which can be used to calculate how much energy they will burn in a day.
If you want proof of life?s unfairness, just look at the matter of metabolism.
Others seem born with sluggish metabolic rates that keep them from losing weight despite earnest attempts at exercise and healthy eating.
"There is a great deal of variability in resting metabolic rate between individuals," said Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise, based in San Diego, Calif.
"There is truth to the statement you?ll hear people say: `It seems like if I look at a donut I gain weight,?
Bryant says resting metabolism accounts for about two-thirds of the energy expended each day.
describes the number of calories you would burn in one day without any activity.
Most health and fitness experts in recent years have concluded the best way to boost metabolism is by adding muscle through resistance training, such as lifting weights.
"The No. 1 thing is to increase or maintain lean body mass," said Susan Hewlings, an assistant professor of health at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla.
"A lot of people say for every pound of muscle you add, you?ll expend 35 to 50 additional calories," Bryant said.
Chris Bishop, a personal trainer based in Lakeland, Fla., tries to keep up with the ever-changing conventional wisdom.
He says the latest studies suggest women and older people are less likely than younger men to pack on muscle in the weight room and should instead concentrate more on cardiovascular training, such as running, aerobics and bicycling.
Hewlings, who studied protein metabolism during two fellowships at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, says metabolism levels remain elevated up to 24 hours after an intense cardiovascular workout.
Amid all the confusion and debate about the precise workings of metabolism, fitness professionals agree that physical activity is crucial to weight management.
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