Understanding Metabolism

Metabolism is simply the sum of all chemical reactions happening in your cells and body right now. Think of it as your body's non-stop factory that never takes a break!

Your metabolic rate measures how much energy your body uses to keep everything running smoothly. It's like checking the fuel gauge on your body's engine - some people burn energy faster than others.

Your body works with three main types of food molecules that fuel everything you do. Carbohydrates are made of simple sugars and give you quick energy. Proteins are built from amino acids and help repair and build your muscles. Lipids (fats) are made of glycerol and fatty acids and store long-term energy.

Metabolism shows up everywhere in your body. Respiration converts the sugars from your food into usable energy. Your body also converts simple sugars into glycogen for storage, like keeping batteries charged for later. When you have excess proteins, your body breaks them down and creates urea, which gets removed as waste.

Quick Tip: Think of metabolism as your body's recycling centre - constantly breaking things down and building them back up!