Dr. Donald K. Layman helps cuts through the confusion and breaks down what metabolism means and introduces you to how you can optimize your metabolism.
Metabolism has become a buzz word term in diet and nutrition but it is rarely explained well or properly understood. Dr. Donald K. Layman helps to set the record straight on what does your metabolism really do?
The most fundamental component of metabolism is called resting energy expenditure (REE). This is the work (or metabolism) your body is doing while you sleep
To fully understand carbohydrate metabolism, you first need to appreciate, the primary carbohydrate called glucose is both good and bad. Glucose is essential as a fuel for the brain and nervous system but in excess is extremely damaging to fine blood vessels in the eyes, heart, kidneys, and legs. This glucose excess or toxicity is the disease of diabetes. Because glucose is both essential and toxic, the amount of glucose in the blood is very carefully controlled mostly by the liver and the pancreas (ie. insulin). Carbohydrate metabolism requires a balance between your need versus your tolerance. We will teach you to target your specific Carbohydrate Tolerance.
We often talk about the dietary requirement for protein, but we really don’t require protein, we require the 20 amino acids contained in protein. Protein is kind of like a vitamin pill, we don’t need the pill, we need the 12 specific vitamins that are in the pill. Likewise, protein is the food source of amino acids. We consume protein in food; the protein is digested in our intestines; and the amino acids are then absorbed into our body.
Skeletal muscle is the largest metabolic organ in our bodies. It makes up about 40% of total body weight and accounts for nearly 50% of body protein. Believe it or not, your muscles determine a lot about your metabolism, and they ultimately determine the precise mixture of protein, carbohydrates, and fats that are best for optimizing your metabolism.