How do you know whether you have a high metabolism or a low metabolism? How do you determine it? Expert Martha McKittrick answers this reader’s question.
The opinions expressed herein are the guest’s alone and have not been reviewed by a WebMD physician. If you have a question about your health, you should consult your personal physician. This event is meant for informational purposes only.
How do you know whether you have a high metabolism or a low metabolism? How do you determine it?
Answer: Indirect calorimetry is the “gold standard” for determining metabolism. The problem is that this is not a common test. You may be able to get it done at your local university or in a lab in a hospital.
Otherwise, your best bet is to estimate what your metabolism is like based on your activity level, your difficulty in losing weight, and your family weight history (for example, are people in your family overweight?).
Martha McKittrick, RD, CDE, is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, and certified fitness instructor who specializes in weight control, cardiovascular health, diabetes, sports, and general nutrition.
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