There are numerous factors that go into keeping our body well-fueled and with abundant energy. Our metabolism is a key component in how our body processes fuels, produces usable energy, and generally keeps us going. The word metabolism refers to the complex chain of chemical reactions that helps our cells convert fuel into energy. This fuel is used to repair or build healthy tissues, maintain health, as well as to provide us energy to get through the day in a powerful way!  Having a healthy metabolism can make the difference between feeling alert and full of energy or sluggish throughout the day. Dr. Tony Ganem,DC  and the team at BodyPro Wellness Center are available to help you optimize yours.

Understanding The Metabolism And Energy Production

Ensuring that our body is producing energy, efficiently, requires that we provide it with the nutrients it needs. These nutrients are broadly classified into carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and lipids (fats) and are obtained from our foods. The B vitamins (especially B1, B2 [riboflavin], and B3 [niacin]) are cofactors in metabolism.  Together with minerals such as iron and magnesium, they play a vital role in many aspects of our body’s health through the making of energy in our metabolism. 

Another central player in our metabolism is antioxidants. As the name implies, these substances are responsible for preventing oxidation while we produce energy. Oxidation is a potentially damaging process that can lead to cell damage. There are many different antioxidants, but some of the most well known are:

• Vitamin C – Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help prevent oxidation in many areas of the body.
• Vitamin E – Unlike Vitamin C, Vitamin E is primarily focused on preventing oxidation in tissues and is found in healthy fats. 
• Glutathione – Glutathione is our main antioxidant, and is made by the body from proteins that we consume in the diet.  Glutathione is a major protector from mitochondrial damage (damage within the energy factories of the cell)
• Coenzyme Q10 – CoQ10 is a major antioxidant, also in our cell factories, but in particular protective from oxidation in our heart tissues.

Our thyroid is an important gland that is central to a healthy and functioning metabolism. Our thyroid’s main role is the production of thyroid hormones that help regulate the speed and efficiency or our metabolism. The thyroid hormones, T4 and T3, inform our body how much energy we need and how much to use. They also influence our heart rate and body temperature.

Nutreval Testing

One test that we offer at BodyPro Wellness Center is Nutreval testing. This testing involves blood and urine testing to identify which steps in the metabolic process might need help, and to determine nutrient needs within your body. From this test, we’ll be able to determine whether you’re getting a sufficient amount of over 40 antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and other nutrients. As part of this test, there will be in excess of 125 different biomarkers assessed to produce these results.

Learn More By Visiting BodyPro Wellness Center

Our metabolism is a complex system. While there are many shared traits, every individual’s metabolism is different. Understanding how our personal metabolism works can help us make effective choices to boost energy and improve overall function. Contact our Newport Beach, CA office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Tony Ganem, DC and our team. You’ll be taking the first steps to take control of your metabolism, experiencing less fatigue and more energy.