Does Anyone Have Knowledge About Metabolism--could Someone's Metabolism--whether It Be Slow Or Fast--be Related To Genetics At All???

Why do you ask?

And to answer your question, a lot of things determine metabolism. Genetics is one of them.

Genetics, age, diet, amount and type of exercise, amount of sleep you get, amount of TV you watch, stress, the bacteria in your stomach/intestines...

so basically, yes, but, don't use that as an excuse because you can change it. Your metabolic rate isn't set in stone.

Some more goes into it than that too. And though it isn't set in stone, it doesn't change as much as people think either.

Yes, I Know It Can Be Changed--we All Know Genetics Plays A Big Role In A Lot Of Our Makeup So I Was Wondering If Someone Were To Have A Slow Metabolism--how Much Extra They Would Have To Do In Order To Boost It So That It Is Not Working Against Them??

I Do Not Have A Slow Metabolism--i Have Already Lost 86 Pounds--going To Weight Watchers--i Have Some More To Lose--i Have Joined A Gym And Am Working At Losing The Rest Of The Pounds And Getting The Body Fat Percentage Down And The Muscle Percentage Up...so Far Things Are Going Great...my Boyfriend--who Is In To Health And Nutrition--and I Were Talking And The Question Came Up About The Metabolism, So We Thought We'd Put It Out There And Get Some Opinions....

All the talk about damaging metabolisms around the web nowadays, it is more a scare tactic than anything else. Even in medically administered tests, the greatest documented metabolic slow down was 30%. The metabolism is not as responsive as people think.

how does thyroid issues play into the whole Metabolism speed or lack there of? Could this play a major factor in the speed of which you loose weight?

In short, the thyroid produces a hormone that allows your body's cells to convert oxygen and other nutrients into energy. The amount of thyroid hormone that is released can have an effect on the rate at which your body uses/stores nutrients, therefore effecting the amount of weight you lose or gain. If your body is not regulating thyroid hormones within normal limits, weight gain/loss is a small physical manifestation of a much larger health issue.

Along with hormone production, physiological things such as beta2 receptor density also play a role in determining metabolism.

I'm not one who thinks that you can totally wreck it to the point that people think, but I do think that slothful people who eat like crap can definitely increase it significantly over time by eating right and exercising with high intensity.

Define significantly. In the context of this discussion, I was simply saying that the web gurus out there today have made it seem like the metabolism is something that goes through enormous swings, which is not the case. You will not get an argument from me in regards to the possibility of speeding up or slowing down one's metabolism. I just like to remind people that it does not sharply swing how many make it out to seem.

Significantly, as in a measureable amount between the metabolic rate of a couch potato addicted to fast food on one day, as compared to that same guy after he's been busting ass working out and eating healthily for 6 months straight. I don't believe that it would be the same. By "significant", I don't mean "huge", and I definitely don't mean to portray it as being any type of a sharp or swinging change, I don't believe that at all.

Alright, enough about this. I really wasn't directing my comments at you... more so to the web community in general.

Good day!

Steve - wasn't trying to argue with you, sorry. The most recent statement I've seen in regards to what you're talking about is that supposedly if you skip breakfast, your metabolism takes a 30% hit. I haven't given it much thought actually, but, it seems to fit right in to this, seems kinda crazy.

I highly doubt this. The Minnesota study was a medically administered research study where they actually starved "willing victims" and after chronic deprivation from food for a prolonged period of time, the metabolism was reduced by 30%. So I don't think one meal will do that much damage.