What Is Metabolism and How Does It Work?
As a refresher, metabolism is a complex process that deals with how your body produces energy from fat, protein, and sugar/carbohydrates and how it stores energy. When people use the term metabolism, they're actually referring to their metabolic rate, how much energy (commonly referred to as calories) you burn throughout the day, Dr. Arad explained. Your metabolic rate is not the same as your resting metabolic rate (RMR), which is the minimum amount of calories your body needs at rest to perform basic functions, like breathing, to keep you alive.
Everyone will have a different metabolic rate based on factors like age, genetics, and activity level. If you produce energy well, the higher (or faster) your metabolism will be. The less energy you produce, the slower your metabolism will be.
To learn more about your metabolic rate and how you body produces energy, you should consider getting a resting metabolic rate test ($200, but rates will vary), provided at specialised clinics like the Mount Sinai PhysioLab.