A new study shows that cutting calories is more difficult for some people because their own bodies can slow down their metabolism. According to the authors, this is due to the so-called metabolic adaptation that occurs when there is a food shortage and could therefore make losing weight more difficult. It is a prehistoric process that, according to nutrition experts, involves a...appropriate dietary changesand exercise can be prevented.
Why excessive weight loss could slow your metabolism
Many people have experienced the frustration of not being able to lose additional weight after losing some initial pounds. The reason for this may be metabolic changes in the body known as metabolic adaptation. This is a survival mechanism that occurs when the body loses a significant amount of weight. In addition, the study authors concluded that such metabolic adaptation requires more time to achieve the desired weight loss. This may explain why some people may find it more difficult to lose weight. In their study, researchers looked at women who were premenopausal and above the healthy weight range listed for body mass index. Participants lost an average of 16 percent of their body weight over a 5-month period. The study participants included two groups of 65 overweight women who were close to menopause. Both groups followed an 800-calorie diet until they reached a certain body mass index.
Metabolic adaptation occurs when the body adapts to reduce resting metabolic rate (RMR). A smaller body tends to use less energy at rest. Food requires energy to digest. So when both food intake and weight decrease, the amount of energy the body uses each day also decreases, the researchers say. Additionally, the new research shows that losing more than 2-3 kilograms per week signals the body to slow down its metabolism. It is therefore important to adjust the energy balance. This could be achieved through sporting activities and appropriate dietary changes. The goalthis studyHowever, the aim was to measure metabolic adaptation in terms of weight loss. Therefore, the context is somewhat different from standardized diets that many people follow today.