4 Natural Ways to Speed Up and Boost Metabolism

Your metabolism rate describes the rate at which your body consumes calories. A high metabolism helps burn up calories and can help you better achieve your weight loss goals. Although your metabolism is genetically defined, several lifestyle practices can help to naturally enhance your metabolism and make sure it's running at its optimal speed.

1. Get enough sleep. Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Lack of sleep affects your body's hormone levels and reduces its metabolic functioning, warns the University of Chicago Medical Center.

2. Eat breakfast and don't skip any meals throughout the day. Dr. Christopher Mohr, Ph.D., R.D., reporting to "Men's Fitness" magazine, says eating breakfast helps stoke up your metabolism after your night-long fast. Eating regularly throughout the day also helps keep your metabolism running smoothly.

3. Take an herbal supplement containing guarana, suggests the Colorado State University Extension. It may improve your metabolism rate while its caffeine may suppress your appetite. The extension also suggests green tea pills, with the University of Maryland Medical Center stating that this tea may increase metabolic rates and help with the burning of fat.

4. Exercise 30 to 45 minutes every day, recommends Andrea Hess, a University of Maryland Medical Center nutritionist. This could include aerobic exercises, like jogging or swimming, and weight-lifting. She says this enhances your metabolism while simultaneously burning excess calories.

References:

University of Maryland Medical Center: Common-Sense Strategies to Long-Term Weight Loss

Colorado State University Extension: Weight Loss Programs and Products

University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea

"Men's Fitness"; Hit the Weight-Loss Bull's-Eye; Christopher Mohr; 2009

University of Chicago Medical Center: Lack of sleep alters hormones