Supercharge Your Metabolism - Take Your Vitamins

Love it or hate it, we all have a base metabolism - the rate at which the body burns calories.  Although our genes place us on a metabolic continuum (ranging from that of a racing greyhound to that of a snail), we do have a certain amount of control over our metabolism.   In fact, how and what you eat, in addition ot your activity level, can either elevate you to the top of your genetic potential or make you plummet to the rocks of yo-yo dieting. 

Over the next few days I will outline some no-fuss ways to reach your metabolic best....

TAKE YOUR VITAMINS

First, you need to make sure you're not deficient in micronutrients that support metabolism, such as the B vitamins.  Eating foods rich in these vitamins - like eggs, poultry, spinach and whole grains - aid in carbohydrate metabolism and energy production.  While vitamin B-1 plays a role in energy metabolism, B-2 helps metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
It is also important to take supplements to boost your immune system, so you can avoid illness and keep your training up to speed.  The immune system is constantly bombarded by free radicals - every cell in the body takes about 10,000 hits per day!  Antioxidants neutralize these assassins and even slow down the aging process, another enemy of metabolism. 
How can you ensure your body is fighting these free radicals?  Try taking a nutritional supplement that provides antioxidants, vitamins and minerals - often these can be purchased in daily serving paks, eliminating the need for several different bottles of supplements taking up room in your cupboard. 

"All those vitamins aren't to keep death at bay, they're to keep deterioration at bay."  - Jeanne Moreau