Metabolism is usually spoken in the context of being overweight but you can notice a metabolic disorder long before the arrow of the scales will creep up. Metabolism regulates all processes in the body and therefore its sudden change can be a sign of a disease. How do you know when your metabolism is impaired and how to maintain a normal metabolism?
1. You Are Always Hungry
Since metabolism regulates exactly how food gets converted into energy, if the metabolism is accelerated, you may feel constant hunger. You will feel as if it’s difficult for you to eat enough and hunger will come faster than usual.
If you notice that you eat more often than usual even though your level of physical activity has remained the same and you lose weight, metabolic disorders may be to blame. It is especially worthwhile to be wary if there are no other changes in your well-being as this may be a syndrome of hyperthyroidism, a malfunction of the thyroid gland.
2. Get Tired Quickly
If you feel tired all the time for no apparent reason, this may be a sign of a slow metabolism. Because of it, the body does not receive energy fast enough which makes it difficult for you to maintain your previous level activity. Feeling tired, lethargic, and depressed are all signs that our metabolism is not working as well as before.
They are ways through which our bodies are trying to tell us that something is wrong. If you feel overwhelmed, most likely your body is not getting enough attention. If your fatigue doesn’t go away even after getting a good night’s sleep than you should consult a doctor.
3. Abrupt Mood Changes and You Feel Depressed or Anxious
Mood and mental disorders are often closely related to metabolism. A study published in The Scientist magazine reports that many neuropsychiatric disorders are accompanied by metabolic disorders. Another study by the University of Pittsburgh School of Health Sciences has shown that identifying and treating metabolic disorders in people with treatment-refractory depression can improve, and sometimes even eliminate, many of its symptoms.
If you are currently struggling with depression or other mental disorders, pay attention to your metabolism. It is possible that its normalization will help with mental problems.
4. You Are Losing Hair
Metabolism regulates almost all body functions, including hair growth and loss. A study conducted in 2018 showed that people with metabolic syndrome which is a combination of disorders that include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and other problems of the cardiovascular system increase the risk of androgenetic alopecia.
5. You Feel Heat or Chills
The metabolic processes that our body uses to convert food into energy also help the body generate heat. During food intake, the metabolism increases, the body heats to burn calories, so you feel heat. That is why problems with body temperature may indicate a metabolic disorder.
A constant feeling of cold often occurs due to malnutrition. Metabolism slows down to prevent starvation, so it does not generate the body temperature we are used to. If you constantly feel the heat for no apparent reason, this may be a sign of hyperactive metabolism, in which the body works harder to create heat and process food.
