Research
Three things that I found interesting when researching the topic of metabolism rate were the dependence of metabolic rate on external factors, the importance of maintaining a high metabolic rate, and the predictability of metabolic flexibility. Indeed, metabolic rate is the energy transformation capacity, while basal metabolic rate is the energy needed to maintain the body’s overall functioning during sleep (Saladin, 2020). It was interesting to learn that metabolic rate depends on such external factors as ecology and evolution. In particular, the environment indicates the human maximum metabolic rate, which might be achieved through physical work (Norin & Metcalfe, 2019). Another insightful idea was that for healthy functioning, the human body has to maintain a high metabolic rate to ensure timely energy transformation and extraction of toxins (Norin & Metcalfe, 2019). Finally, it is possible to predict the flexibility of a living being’s metabolic rate based on the environmental area where one resides (Norin & Metcalfe, 2019). Thus, the knowledge about influential factors might help predict and possibly improve or correct metabolic rate.
Critical Thinking
When discussing the issues of metabolism in the context of the contemporary world, one might emphasize the high interest of the general public in dietary regimes for better health and metabolic facilitation. In particular, as the article by Lessan, N., & Ali (2019) demonstrates, intermittent fasting helps boost metabolism and generate a “negative energy level”
to promote weight loss and prevent chronic illnesses (p. 2). This topic is relevant to the community of people seeking healthy lifestyle opportunities because it provides them with scientific evidence on the biology of metabolism, which minimizes harm possibly caused by uninformed dieting regimes. Saladin’s (2020) articulation of the role of the absorptive state and post-absorptive state relates to the intermittent fasting and metabolic rate increase. It helps explain the food transformation during the absorptive state and energy use for body functions in the postabsorptive state, which supports the benefits of intermittent fasting.
References
Lessan, N., & Ali, T. (2019). Energy metabolism and intermittent fasting: the Ramadan perspective. Nutrients, 11(5), 1-16.
Norin, T., & Metcalfe, N. B. (2019). Ecological and evolutionary consequences of metabolic rate plasticity in response to environmental change. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 374(1768), 1-9.
Saladin, K. (2020). Anatomy & physiology: The unity of form and function (9th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.