A fast metabolism does not necessarily lead to thinness. In fact, studies show that people with overweight/obesity often have fast metabolisms. Their bodies need more energy to keep basic body functions going.
If your metabolism is "high" (or fast), you will burn more calories at rest and during activity. A high metabolism means you'll need to take in more calories to maintain your weight. That's one reason why some people can eat more than others without gaining weight.
A fast metabolism burns calories at a quicker rate, which explains why some people can eat a lot and not gain extra pounds.
While having a fast metabolic rate is not necessarily good or bad in terms of health, making sure you take in enough calories to sustain yourself and nourish your body is important—while also striving not to take in too many calories, which can lead to an energy imbalance.
Signs of a fast metabolism include increased calorie burning, difficulty gaining weight, increased breathing, insomnia and frequent sweating. The term fast or slow metabolism is often used depending on the speed of a person's basal metabolic rate (BMR).
High metabolism definition
Many different factors can influence your metabolic rate, such as sex, weight, hormone function, age, and physical activity levels. Generally speaking, the leaner your body mass, the faster your metabolism is.
Hummingbirds, with their tiny bodies and high levels of activity, have the highest metabolic rates of any animals -- roughly a dozen times that of a pigeon and a hundred times that of an elephant. To maintain those rates, hummers have to consume about their weight in nectar daily.
Having a balanced and healthy diet which includes a good mix of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and carbs, can trigger growth hormones. A healthy diet acts like a fuel for the body to grow properly. It improves the rate of metabolism, increases blood circulation and also makes our bones stronger.
"The biggest thing people do that slows their metabolism down is eating too few calories," said Fiore. 1200 calories per day is roughly the amount you need to perform basic functions, she suggested, and when a person eats fewer than that, the metabolism slows down to conserve energy.
Pooping Frequency & Your Metabolism
Does pooping more mean you have a fast metabolism? In general, yes, the faster your metabolism, the more you poop. Those with a slower metabolism may not visit the bathroom twice a day. They may only go once a day or once every other day (or even more infrequently).
Over time, studies have shown that metabolic rate (how fast we burn calories) starts to slow down by 2 to 3 percent each decade, beginning in our 20s. It becomes more noticeable between ages 40 and 60.
A new study accepted for publication in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism claims that people with higher metabolic rates age faster and die younger than people without them, Science Daily reports.
The athletes were shown to have a significantly higher BMR than was expected from calculations based on body mass (16%, P < 0.05) or body composition (12%, P < 0.05).
Your metabolic rate peaks in your early 20s, according to Women's Health Magazine. At this age, you tend to have a higher muscle mass and have a fair amount of physical activity built into your day. As early as age 30, however, men and women begin noticing a dip in their ability to lose weight.
White men reported the highest levels of PA of the four race-gender groups, whereas African-American women reported the lowest levels.
Ectomorph Metabolism
They have a fast metabolism, which allows them to burn up calories quicker than other metabolism types. To gain weight, ectomorphs usually need a huge caloric intake. For ectomorphs, workouts should focus on the big muscle groups.
Hormonal metabolism tests are the only type you can do at home. Other tests can provide more and different information based on a larger blood sample, but they require you to go to a lab or work with a doctor first. Your doctor can prescribe a metabolism test and perform it in a medical setting.
Gaining muscle mass with a fast metabolism is not impossible, as many so-called "hard-gainers" believe. Hard-gainer types have a high metabolism and are skinny with a smaller bone structure and less natural muscular build than other body types.
If you have a high metabolic rate, you may be able to eat much more than others and still not gain weight. Genes are just one variable that influence your BMR. Others include your age, height, starting weight, physical activity level and muscle mass percentage.
Reasons why you may not be able to gain weight. Genetics play a role in body types and may dictate a naturally lean body type for some people. For others, underlying medical conditions and certain medical treatments may cause weight loss or difficulty gaining weight.