Digital illustration of mitochondria on blue background

Your metabolism is your body’s way of using food to properly maintain the structures of your cells and provide fuel for all of your daily processes. It is determined by many factors, including your stress level and attitude, the food you consume, the amount and duration of regular exercise and your daily personal lifestyle habits. Your metabolism must increase if you want to shed unwanted pounds, especially if you have tried numerous times in the past to lose weight and have been unsuccessful. Mitochondrial decay may be to blame for your ineffective weight loss attempts.

Mitochondria and Metabolism

The mitochondria play an important role in metabolism, because these cells fuel our bodies with the energy gained from food. As you age, mitochondria become older and worn out. Their numbers significantly decrease over time. It is this decrease in number, or “mitochondrial decay,” that is responsible for a drop in metabolism. You continue to take in the same quantity and quality of food, but the mitochondria are fewer in number, damaged, and unable to produce as much energy as before. The extra food that the body cannot process into energy is instead stored in the form of fat tissue in your body.

Caring for Your Mitochondria

While a decrease in mitochondria is inevitable, there are ways that you can help to ensure they will perform effectively for longer. Consume whole, light foods that are easy for your stomach to digest and assimilate into your body. Try not to eat as much as you have been, since eating less means that the mitochondria do not have to work as hard to retrieve energy from the food. This will extend the life of the cells.

Studies show that engaging in regular exercise will increase the production levels of the mitochondria because these cells use more fat and fewer carbohydrates to provide your body with fuel during these activities. In fact, one study concluded that obese men and women who participated in a moderately intense workout at least four to six times each week, for a half hour each session, significantly improved their mitochondrial performance after four months. There are many ways you can incorporate even a little exercise into your day: walk to work or take your dog for a stroll, use the stairs rather than the escalator and try to park in the very back of a parking lot to get those extra steps in.

Make sure you get all of the minerals, vitamins and nutrients your body needs to function. Drink water every day, make sure you are receiving antioxidants from fruits and vegetables, and eat only “healthy” fats. If you do not believe you are getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals, consider taking a supplement to ensure your body has what it needs to function.

You can increase the life of your mitochondrial cells in simple ways. Not only will you notice your weight loss efforts becoming more successful, but also that you feel happier and healthier in your life overall.

The tips, information and advice at LowFatDietPlan.orgcan help all dieters, whether on the 17 day diet plan, low fat diet, or any other weight loss strategy.

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