Good metabolism, poor metabolism, boosting, stimulating, driving. The word metabolism is often used – and is often used incorrectly. Because: metabolism is not the same as digestion. It is correct: metabolism – also known as metabolism – is the basis of all vital processes in the body. Metabolism is roughly understood to mean all biochemical processes in the cells, which is not right at all. The body thus constantly takes care of itself – by using supplied nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements or drawing on reserves. All of this is necessary for the multitude of vital processes and functions of our body to run properly. Hormones and enzymes are also important for metabolism. The hormonal and nervous systems largely control the metabolic process. But environmental factors also influence metabolism, such as temperature. The most important metabolic organ is the liver.
Digestion is not just metabolism.
For the body to be able to perform all of its tasks, it needs energy. This energy is provided by the macronutrients carbohydrates, fats, and proteins that we ingest with our food. In a sense, digestion is the prerequisite for metabolism. The nutrients are converted into their components in the stomach and intestines. The intestine can only absorb nutrients in their broken-down form. In other words: they are split up so small that the intestine can absorb them and transfer them into the blood. The fat is made extra transportable for the blood. The blood circulation is the medium of distribution. It is the road that brings nutrients into all cells of the body. When we talk about “metabolize food,” we mean the process that happens in the cells after digestion and transport via the bloodstream. Central to the metabolism: carbohydrates, protein, fat, minerals
There are different types of metabolism, for example, named after the substances that are processed:
Carbohydrate metabolism:
Indigestion, the complex carbohydrates from food are broken down into simple sugars ( e.g., glucose, fructose). The sugar molecules reach the cells via the blood, where the actual metabolic process takes place. The body can obtain energy from simple sugars. If there is just enough energy available, the simple sugars are assembled and stored in the liver and muscles to form new starch molecules (multiple sugars).
Protein metabolism (amino acid metabolism):
The digestion of proteins creates amino acids. These get into the cells via the bloodstream. There they serve on the one hand to generate energy; on the other hand, the body needs them to build muscle cells, hormones, and enzymes.
Fat metabolism: Fat is used to generate energy in the cells and is also the most important energy store. After all, fat is needed, among other things, for the formation of hormones and messenger substances. What the body does not need, fat cells store for “bad times.”
Mineral metabolism: Here, for example, calcium and phosphorus are provided to build up the bones. Calcium ions are also essential for muscle work.
Anabolic and catabolic metabolism
In connection with metabolism, one also often hears terms such as anabolism and catabolism – both are forms and phases of metabolism, i.e., metabolism.
Anabolism: This is the name given to the structure of substances in living beings. The carbohydrate metabolism can again serve as an example: some of the simple sugars that get into the cells from the blood are built up again into starch molecules and stored in the liver and the muscle cells. In a narrower sense, anabolism is often associated with building protein, especially in muscles.
Catabolism: This is the name given to the breakdown of metabolic products from complex to simple substances. In other words: the nutrients stored in the various depots are broken down again into their components and used when the body needs energy.
To stay with the example of carbohydrate metabolism: In the anabolic metabolism, starch was stored in the liver and muscles. In the catabolic metabolism, this starch is broken down again into simple sugars and made available to the body in the form of glucose so that the blood sugar level remains constant. The muscles can gain energy from it.