Human metabolism is one of the most researched topics of recent days. With many people changing their lifestyle habits post-COVID, metabolism literature seems to have exploded. There are many platforms to discover metabolism literature today. From books and magazines to online articles and blogs, information is plentiful.
And everybody is accessing metabolism literature: laymen, people who want to improve their health, and professionals such as personal trainers and dieticians. As a profession, personal trainers and dieticians need to know where and how to access the best and most relevant metabolism literature.
First, they must be able to recommend best practices regarding eating right and exercising correctly. We all know that consuming too many calories leaves us with excess energy that we store as fat – plain and simple. That means avoiding fried foods, refined sugars, and many baked goods. These energy sources are stored as fat. Instead, choose lean proteins, vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. Professionals need to point people in the right direction of diet and exercise, but also education, and that means knowing the best metabolism literature to recommend.
Secondly, you must understand how exercise affects your metabolism (coupled with diet). For example, muscle tissue needs more energy than fat tissue and is a big reason women burn fewer calories than men. Exercise and building muscle are essential to answer the question, “what is metabolism.” There is specific metabolism literature exclusively discussing these issues and should be used by anybody launching into diet and exercise to boost metabolism.
Many factors go into how your metabolism works within your body. And not all metabolisms are the same. For example, someone with a faster metabolism burns many calories while resting. Slower metabolisms require fewer calories to keep going. Having a fast metabolism does not necessarily mean thinness or good health. Overweight people often have fast metabolisms as their bodies need more energy to keep going strong.
Metabolism literature is also essential when considering vitamins and medicine. Each affect metabolism differently, so reading metabolism literature for these items is also necessary. Not getting enough specific vitamins can interfere with your metabolism. For example, the recommended dose of vitamin D is needed to help absorb calcium and keep your bones nice and firm. Vitamin B is essential to metabolism as it helps your body break down carbs, fats, and proteins.
Some medicines and drugs can slow down your metabolism. These include many antidepressants, mood stabilizers, diabetes medicines, corticosteroids, migraine and seizure prevention medications, beta-blockers (heart medications), and allergy relievers. Some medicines might cause a person to retain water, making them weigh more even if they don’t put on extra fat. Studies continue to further our understanding of our metabolism and how it is affected by various elements, including vitamins and medications.
Here are a few samples of good metabolism literature to study.
Human Metabolism by Keith Frayn and Rhys Evans offers a current and integrated review of metabolism and metabolic regulation. This all-inclusive text covers a wide range of themes such as energy balance, body weight regulation, exercise, and how the body copes with intense situations and demonstrates how metabolic regulation permits the human body to acclimate to many different circumstances. The authors explain complex concepts in clear and concise terms to provide an accessible and essential guide to the topic.
Another option is Metabolism at a Glance by J.G. Salway. This essential text is appropriate for introductory to advanced medical and biochemistry courses. It also provides a brief review of inborn errors of metabolism and reference for postgraduate medical practitioners and biomedical scientists who need a resource to refresh their knowledge quickly.
