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Most of us are familiar with our chronological age – in other words, the number of years we’ve been alive. But did you know that we also have a “metabolic age”? It’s a relatively new concept, but it can be incredibly insightful for understanding our overall health and well-being. In this article, we’ll explain what metabolic age is, how it’s calculated, and what we can do to improve it.
What is Metabolic Age?
Metabolic age is an estimate of the state of our metabolic health, or the rate at which our body processes energy. It is determined by comparing our basal metabolic rate (BMR) – the amount of energy our body expends while at rest – to the average BMR of other people in our age range. A higher than average BMR indicates a lower metabolic age, while a lower than average BMR indicates a higher metabolic age.
How is Metabolic Age Calculated?
Metabolic age is usually calculated by a fitness tracker or a smartwatch. This device will measure your BMR and compare it to the average BMR of people in your age range. The device will then display your metabolic age on its screen. You can also calculate your metabolic age manually by inputting your BMR into an online calculator.
How Does Metabolic Age Impact Well-being?
Having a higher than average metabolic age can indicate a range of health issues, including low muscle mass, an unhealthy diet, and a lack of physical activity. It can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, or heart disease. In addition, a higher metabolic age can be a sign of aging, as our bodies become less efficient at processing energy as we age.
The Benefits of Understanding Metabolic Age
Understanding your metabolic age can be beneficial in a variety of ways. It can help you track and monitor your health, spot potential health issues before they become serious, and motivate you to make lifestyle changes. Additionally, it can be a great tool for setting realistic and achievable health goals, as you have a better understanding of your metabolic health.
Tips for Improving Metabolic Age
If you discover your metabolic age is higher than your chronological age, there are several steps you can take to improve it. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are key for sustaining overall health and improving metabolic age. Additionally, getting enough sleep and reducing stress can help boost metabolic health. Finally, regular doctor visits can help you to spot and treat any underlying medical issues that could be contributing.
Understanding our metabolic age can be a powerful tool for monitoring and improving our health. It can provide insight into our overall metabolic health and help us to understand how our lifestyle choices affect our health. By comparing our metabolic age to our chronological age, we can get a better understanding of our current health status and make changes that will help us achieve our overall health goals.
Conclusion
Metabolic age is an important metric to consider when tracking our health and making lifestyle changes. It can help us to gain insight into our overall metabolic health and identify areas that need improvement. By tracking our metabolic age and making healthy lifestyle choices, we can improve our wellness and achieve our health goals.
Sources
- Lam, A. (2019). What Is Metabolic Age, and How Does It Affect Your Well-being? Healthline.
- Catudal, M. (2020). How To Calculate Your Metabolic Age. Verywell Fit.
- Robinson, J. (2020). Metabolic Age: What It Is and How to Improve It. Healthline.
