Here are some of the top metabolism boosters to try. These are signs of your metabolism becoming more sluggish — in other words a decrease in your basal metabolic rate. On the other hand, keep your body properly fueled and it will perform much better in all areas of life for many years to come.

This is a long-term solution instead of a quick fix. If you live in a calorie deficit because your exercise level is too high and your food intake is too low, your metabolism gets the message that it must slow down all functioning to conserve energy.

Which metabolism booster is good for weight loss then? I recommend you stop counting calories and instead focus on nutrient density. Eating enough every day, especially when you consume calories from a variety of unprocessed whole foods, is critical for metabolic health.

It also supports cognitive, hormonal, sexual and digestive health. People who are well-fed and avoid yo-yo dieting often experience better digestion, positive moods and more motivation, stronger desire to be active, better mental health, stronger sex drive, and more stable blood sugar levels.

Eating enough also usually means you have more motivation to be active, gain strength and muscle mass quicker , and feel less fatigued. This is why sleep deprivation can contribute to trouble with weight loss. According to the one meta-analysis, sleep restriction decreases insulin sensitivity and causes changes in brain activity in response to food stimuli, meaning food especially unhealthy types becomes more rewarding.

Make it a priority to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night in order to keep hormone levels in check, including cortisol.

High cortisol levels associated with a lack of sleep are tied to poor mental functioning, weight gain and becoming more resistant to insulin that controls blood glucose levels.

Another way to maintain hormonal balance is to rest enough between exercise days. Overtraining repeatedly causes fatigue, muscle loss and a lower basal metabolic rate, not the opposite as you might think. Exercise impacts your hormonal status, and intense workouts without rest elevate cortisol levels.

Exercise of any kind is important for keeping metabolic function working into older age. Therefore, a decline in metabolism seems to be related most to age-associated reductions in exercise volume and calorie consumption than aging itself.

What is a good metabolism booster when it comes to exercise? High-intensity interval training HIIT , a form of exercise that features intervals that vary between all-out effort and short periods of rest, is known to especially jump-start metabolic functioning better than steady-state workouts can.

One of the best things about HIIT workouts is that they require less time than traditional cardio workouts, yet they have more profound benefits. This phenomenon is due to the way the body uses higher levels of oxygen to recover following intense physical activity. HIIT burns more fat over the duration of the day, builds more muscle and improves metabolic function compared to steadier exercises.

It can also generally improve cardiometabolic functions and even hormonal balance, such as in women with PCOS. Strength training — whether lifting weights or using your own body weight — can support your resting metabolic rate because it builds lean muscle mass , which naturally uses more calories than body fat does.

To improve your body composition, I recommend ideally doing heavy weight training of six to 12 reps, five days a week, for about 45—75 minutes for the best results. Therefore you want to avoid most fat diets when trying to boost your metabolism. While calorie intake varies from person to person, we all need to meet our needs in order to supply the necessary chemicals that are used for building, upkeep and repair of all body tissues.

Very low-calorie diets miss key nutrients. This robs the body of raw materials like carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus or sulfur, which are supplied in carbohydrates, lipids, protein and water from our diets. Meal timing can look differently for different people, with some choosing to eat three square meals a day with fewer snacks, while others prefer eating smaller meals but more often.

Either approach is OK as long as it keeps your energy, blood sugar and hunger levels stable. In addition, to support a healthy and stable weight, one of the most compelling reasons to work on increasing your metabolism is that this keeps us from prematurely aging and getting sick often. Another benefit of eating enough calories every day is that it helps you maintain a healthier relationship with food.

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Axe on Twitter 1 Dr. Axe on Pintrest 3 Share on Email Print Article 5. Axe on Facebook 11 Dr. Axe on Twitter 22 Dr. Axe on Pintrest Share on Email Print Article Let's Be Friends. Axe on Facebook 2. In fact, a review of studies notes that capsaicin — from supplements or the peppers themselves — may help reduce body weight and benefit your overall health 4.

Some studies report similar benefits with doses as low as 6—10 milligrams mg per day. This is equivalent to one jalapeño pepper 4 , 5.

According to a review of studies including nearly people, consuming at least 2 mg of capsaicin directly before each meal seems to reduce calorie consumption, especially from carbs 6. Similarly, adding cayenne pepper to your meal may increase the amount of fat your body burns for energy, especially following a high fat meal.

However, this fat-burning effect may only apply to people unaccustomed to consuming spicy foods 7. The caffeine found in coffee may help increase metabolic rate.

Furthermore, caffeine may help your body burn fat for energy. It seems especially effective at boosting your workout performance , according to older research 9.

However, its effects may vary from person to person based on individual characteristics such as body weight and age 9. Tea contains health-boosting compounds called catechins that may work with caffeine to boost metabolic rate.

Both oolong and matcha green tea may increase fat oxidation and may help you burn extra calories when part of an exercise plan 10 , In addition, oolong and green teas may help your body use stored fat for energy more effectively, increasing your fat-burning ability Legumes and beans are particularly high in protein compared with other plant foods.

Examples include:. Studies suggest their high protein content requires your body to burn more calories to digest them compared with lower protein foods. This is due to their TEF 1.

Legumes also contain dietary fiber , including resistant starch and soluble fiber, which your body can use as a prebiotic to feed the good bacteria in your large intestine In turn, these friendly bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids , which may help your body more effectively use stored fat as energy and maintain normal blood sugar levels Ginger and related spices are thought to have particularly beneficial metabolism-boosting properties.

Ginger may help with weight management, obesity prevention, and energy metabolism For instance, older research shows that dissolving 2 grams of ginger powder in hot water and drinking it with a meal may help you burn up to 43 more calories than drinking hot water alone This hot ginger drink may also decrease hunger levels and enhance feelings of satiety, or fullness Cacao and cocoa are tasty treats that may also benefit your metabolism.

Flavonoids in cacao and cacao byproducts may help support metabolic actions and help reduce hypertriglyceridemia Another research review suggests that cocoa and dark chocolate may help reduce body weight, a factor that can contribute to the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders Processing tends to reduce the amounts of beneficial compounds and add extra sugar and calories MCT oil is a unique type of fat that may offer some metabolic benefits.

Most fats found in foods are long-chain triglycerides, but MCT oil comprises medium-chain triglycerides. Some older studies have shown that MCT oil consumption can increase metabolic rate in humans.

Additionally, unlike long-chain fats, once MCTs are absorbed, they go directly to the liver to be turned into energy. This makes them less likely to be stored as body fat 19 , 20 , MCT oil is typically taken as a supplement, although it can be added to foods like soups or smoothies.

Drinking enough water is a great way to stay hydrated.

Selenium is especially important for the thyroid gland, a gland that regulates metabolic function and produces several vital hormones. According to the National Institutes of Health NIH , each Brazil nut provides 68 to 91 micrograms mcg of selenium, which is more than the recommended dietary allowance RDA of 55 mcg per day.

People should avoid eating too many nuts, however, as this can cause selenium toxicity. The NIH set upper limits of selenium intake at mcg.

Research also suggests that Brazil nuts can improve the cholesterol levels of healthy people. Abnormal cholesterol levels are a marker of metabolic syndrome. Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables may also prevent or slow down several forms of cancer. For more significant metabolism enhancing effects, look for Beneforte broccoli, which contains high levels of glucoraphanin.

Spinach, kale , and other leafy green vegetables may boost metabolism thanks to their iron content. Iron is an essential mineral for metabolism, growth, and development. Leafy greens are a source of non-heme, or non-animal, iron. Many leafy greens also provide good amounts of magnesium , another mineral that supports metabolic function and plays a role in over processes in the body.

Eating a healthful diet is essential for regulating metabolism. Other ways to boost metabolic function include:. According to one small-scale study , drinking an extra 1, milliliters ml of water daily can decrease body weight and BMI in some people who are overweight.

Participants drank ml before each meal. The researchers suggest that this is due to water-induced thermogenesis, where water increases metabolism. Research suggests that a lack of sleep may be contributing to the trend of increasing obesity and diabetes, which are consequences of metabolic syndrome.

According to the CDC , adults should aim to sleep for 7 to 9 hours a night. To improve sleep patterns, try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day.

Lifting weights regularly allows people to gain and retain muscle mass and to burn fat. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults should perform strengthening exercises 2 or more days each week. A study on sedentary women found that resistance training increased the overall basal metabolic rate BMR for up to 48 hours.

BMR refers to the number of calories that the body burns while resting. Many foods, including green vegetables, chili peppers, and protein sources, can boost metabolism and help people achieve or maintain a healthy weight.

Other lifestyle changes that improve metabolic health include drinking enough water, getting adequate sleep, and exercise activities. The Everlywell Metabolism Test measures the levels of cortisol, thyroid stimulating hormone, and free testosterone in the body. Learn what the results….

Evidence suggests that sauerkraut may provide various health benefits, including supporting gut health. Learn more here. While guarana does contain more caffeine than coffee, both have potential benefits when consumed in moderation.

Learn more. Guarana has a variety of benefits, such as increasing energy levels and reducing inflammation. Whole grains are cereals and certain other grains that contain all the natural edible parts of the plant.

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That's the equivalent of walking about four miles a day. If that's too daunting, follow exercise guidelines by doing 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity five times a week. And don't forget to move more throughout the day by taking brief walks after meals or two-minute walks every half hour, Dr.

Studies show that Americans get only 15 grams of fiber a day, even though dietary guidelines recommend that women get at least 25 grams and men get Plants are really the only source of fiber , so by eating more plants, you'll naturally get more fiber.

RELATED: 10 Wholesome and Easy High-Fiber Meals. Time to rein in that sugar intake if you want to boost your metabolic health. In the short-term, excess sugar can lead to mid-day energy crashes, cravings, and anxiety.

Long-term, it can lead to damage and inflammation that contributes to issues like heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's, and dementia. To remedy this, as best as you can, avoid foods and drinks that contain more than 2 to 3 grams of added sugar per serving, though zero is better, Dr.

Then avoid overconsuming foods with refined white flour , which turn into sugar in the body. Sadly, that includes pastries, cookies, cakes, tortillas, pastas, and bread.

Turn to whole, unrefined grains instead, like quinoa, brown rice, farro, barley, and many more grain varieties for a hit of wholesome carbohydrates that come with tons of added benefits like fiber, vitamins and minerals, and even a little bit of protein in some cases.

You've heard it a million times, but there's good reason to drink water regularly to stave off dehydration. By getting direct sunlight first thing in the morning and avoiding excess artificial light near bedtime , you'll be aiding your metabolism.

Means explains. Every morning, go outside for a few minutes even if it's cloudy—although you might have to stay out a little longer for optimal effects.

Your health—and your metabolism—depends on proper sleep. Health experts generally recommend that adults sleep for seven to nine hours a night. If you're really struggling to sleep, talk with your physician to sort out underlying issues disrupting your rest.

RELATED: 11 Healthy Habits That Can Help You Sleep Better. It's nearly impossible in today's world to avoid toxins, but do your best. To reduce metabolically disruptive chemicals, opt for organic food when possible, eliminate home or personal care products that include fragrance choose unscented , use less plastic to store food, water, and other products in the home, and invest in a high-quality air filter.

Araújo J, Cai J, Stevens J. Prevalence of optimal metabolic health in American adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Metab Syndr Relat Disord. Musicki B, Bella AJ, Bivalacqua TJ, et al. Basic science evidence for the link between erectile dysfunction and cardiometabolic dysfunction.

The Journal of Sexual Medicine. Guzmán-Ramos K, Osorio-Gómez D, Bermúdez-Rattoni F. Hryhorczuk C, Sharma S and Fulton SE. Metabolic disturbances connecting obesity and depression. Yu Z, Muehleman V.

Eating disorders and metabolic diseases. Public Health. Chandak S, Singh A, Madke B, Jawade S, Khandelwal R.

Acne vulgaris and metabolic syndrome: a possible association. Ghanei Gheshlagh R, Parizad N, Sayehmiri K. The relationship between depression and metabolic syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis study. Iran Red Crescent Med J.

Taetzsch A, Roberts SB, Gilhooly CH, et al. Food cravings: associations with dietary intake and metabolic health. It is true that you burn more calories when you exercise , especially when you get your heart rate up with activities like biking or swimming.

That increased calorie burn lasts as long as your workout. You might keep burning extra calories for an hour or so after that, but the aftereffects of exercise stop there.

Once you stop moving, your metabolism will go back to its resting rate. If you load up on calories after a workout, thinking your body will keep burning calories the rest of the day, you risk weight gain.

What to do: Exercise for your health and refuel with healthy foods. Do not let exercise give you an excuse to overindulge in high-calorie foods and drinks. Muscle burns more calories than fat.

So will building more muscle not boost your metabolism? Yes, but only by a small amount. Most regular exercisers only gain a few pounds fewer kilograms of muscle.

That is not enough to make a big difference in the number of calories you burn. Plus, when not in active use, muscles burn very few calories.

Most of the time, your brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs account for most of your metabolism. What to do: Lift weights for stronger bones and muscles.

Make strength training part of a well-rounded exercise program that includes activities to get your heart pumping. To keep off extra weight, you also need to eat a healthy diet and appropriate portions. Eating foods like green tea, caffeine, or hot chili peppers will not help you shed excess pounds kilograms.

Some may provide a small boost in your metabolism, but not enough to make a difference in your weight. What to do: Choose foods for their good nutrition and taste. Eat a variety of healthy foods that fill you up without filling you out. Unfortunately, there is little scientific evidence that eating small, frequent meals boosts metabolism.

Spreading your meals throughout the day might keep you from getting too hungry and overeating. If so, it is a good idea. Athletes perform better when they eat more often in smaller amounts. If you are someone who has a hard time stopping once you start eating, 3 meals a day may make it easier for you to stick to an appropriate intake than lots of little snacks.