Spice up your metabolism
Your metabolism is the combination of reactions that happen within your body as it turns food and drink into fuel. It provides you with energy -- and burns calories. Plus, it helps with blood circulation, breathing, digestion, hormone regulation, body temperature and growth and repair of cells.
Some folks have a slow metabolism, so their body needs fewer calories to keep going (and it's easy to gain weight). That can be the result of genetics, age, or a sedentary lifestyle. But you can speed your metabolism up, according to Harvard Health, by doing interval training, muscle-building exercises, eating plenty of (lean) protein, and even drinking three cups of green tea a day. A meta-study in Obesity Reviews found that it helps burn an additional 100 calories daily.
Certain spices can also contribute to a robust metabolism. They include cumin, chili peppers, turmeric and its super-ingredient curcumin, ginger, and cinnamon. Cumin helps control blood sugar to reduce the risk of diabetes, a major metabolic disease. Chili peppers (well capsaicin, the "hot" in hot peppers) help shed body fat. Turmeric, and the curcumin it contains, help reduce weight, waist circumference and body fat, boosting metabolism. Ginger can reduce your waist-hip ratio and cinnamon contains an essential oil, cinnamaldehyde, that increases calorie burning.
So, adopt a healthy plant-based diet and add these spices to steamed or roasted veggies, plant-based soups and stews, and salmon and (skinless) chicken dishes. For recipes, check out my "What to Eat When Cookbook." And don't miss getting 10,000 steps or the equivalent daily.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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