Diet Strategies: Fight Slow Metabolism  

Missed Meals

Severe calorie restriction creates a biological billboard that says, "We're starving here!" Your body responds by slowing your metabolism in order to hold on to existing energy stores. What's more, if the food shortage continues, you'll begin burning fat and muscle tissue, which will further lower your metabolic rate. If you must look leaner in no time, temporarily reduce your daily carbohydrate intake to below 50 grams, but without eating less than 2,000 calories total.

 

Drug Therapy

It's one of the ironies of antidepressants: They can boost a person's spirits while depressing his metabolism. Even though the brain-body mechanism is still a mystery, a study review by German researchers identified the mood meds most likely to cause this side effect: Aventyl (nortriptyline), Remeron (mirtazapine), and Paxil (paroxetine). If you gain weight on one, ask your doctor about a possible switch, such as to Wellbutrin (bupropion), which can actually raise metabolism. 

 

Smoking Cessation

Smoking is horrible for every part of you except your metabolism, which it tends to rev. The likely reason: Your body is forced to expend extra energy trying to detoxify itself from the chemicals. Unfortunately, this is a big part of why people lay on the lard after quitting. To help offset the metabolic dip, exercise and chew a combination of Nicorette and Jolt gums. Research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that men who chewed nicotine gum (2 milligrams) spiked with 100 mg caffeine experienced a 10 percent increase in metabolism.

 

Hormone Shortage

When your thyroid gland doesn't pump out enough of its namesake hormone, your metabolism is forced to downshift. This is called hypothyroidism, and it slows almost every metabolic process, including calorie burning. Lethargy and weight gain are two of the most common symptoms, but a definitive diagnosis requires a blood test of your thyroid-stimulating hormone. Anything more than 4 milli-international units per liter is trouble and may mean you need a prescription for synthetic thyroid hormone.

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