Fallacy: "Many people who struggle with their weight are likely suffering from a thyroid disorder"
Fact: Thyroid disorders are fairly rare among the general population
Just like everything else in our bodies, hormones have an impact on metabolism, too. Thyroid hormones are the principle ones when it comes to influencing your metabolic rate. "People who have high thyroid function have very high metabolic rates, and those who have hypothyroid or underfunctioning thyroids have slow metabolic rates," Robert Keith, PhD, RD. FACSM, professor of nutrition and food science at Auburn University (Auburn, Alabama) remarks.
But before you can pinpoint your weight problem on hypothyroidism, you should know that it isn't a common ailment. Only about 4% of Americans have some sort of thyroid disorder or disease. The only way to be diagnosed is by your physician, who will probably test you only if you elicit symptoms.
There are other hormones, such as adrenaline (aka epinephrine), that are involverd n determining your caloric expenditure. In the case of adrenaline, something as simple as
drinking a cup of coffee can cause this hormone to boost your metabolism. " [Caffeine] increases you alertness by increasing adrenaline levels at least to par. It stimulates; the heart rate goes up
some." says Keith. "That's the major effect of caffeine for calorie burn and metabolism-its effect on hormones" (He also points out that caffeine can be used to burn some calories and help
control weight when used wisely and in moderation.) For more information on Caffeine and Athletic Performance, go to past
SWAC Fitness Info article Caffeine Helps!
For the answer, stay tuned for part four of Metabolism 101!