Metabolism is the rate at which the body burns calories. It is the buzz word for the people aiming at weight loss. The word promises a big trick to your weight problems hence everyone wants a boost up on metabolism.The experts keep saying not to starve your metabolism and have small meals all day. Before you try too hard for a metabolism buck up, ascertain, whether you are being supplied with all the required nutrients for an active metabolism. Some vitamins indeed help to shape up metabolizing process of food, so let us examine such vitamins and their functions in detail.
Vitamins That Boosts Metabolism
Vitamin B1
B1 or thiamine is the vitamin helpful in promoting faster metabolism. B1 is an essential co-factor in synthesis of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Enzymes work to speed up metabolism and vitamin B1 itself comes to act as a co-enzyme in its thiamine di-phosphate form making it vital in metabolizing process. Since these vitamins are soluble in water, they are easily distributed in various body parts by way of body fluids. They need to be replaced from the system every day, so excess of them will be passed out through urine, after 14-18 hours. Thiamine assists in production of energy within the body, promotes good muscle tone and stabilizes the appetite. Include black beans, green peas, sesame seeds and lentils for vitamin B1 needs of body.
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2 or riboflavin assists thyroid functions to take care of your metabolism rates. Vitamin B2 also helps ingestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. As such, vitamin B2 is required for a wide variety of cellular processes. Vitamin B2 works closely with co-enzymes FAD and FMN. Both of these co-enzymes support the process of energy production in body. Hence this vitamin is definitely a solution for weight problems and thyroid dysfunction. The thyroid is a gland that regulates your metabolism, energy use and weight. Vitamin B2 can regulate thyroid function making it a great aid in controlling the rate at which the body is producing and using energy. Spinach, mushrooms, yogurt, soybeans, milk and almonds are some excellent sources of riboflavin.
Vitamin B12
This vitamin takes part in the metabolism of all the cells in body, and are involved in synthesis of fatty acids and energy production thereof. B12 is responsible for making a compound called 5-Deoxyadenosylcobalamin. This compound is vital in initiating and supporting the processes of obtaining energy from proteins and fats. Cheese, eggs, whey powder, milk and yogurt make a good source of this vitamin.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a big help in digestion process and is an excellent anti-oxidant, helpful in detoxifying the body. If your digestion is functioning well, then it will deter from accumulating fats, also it will help energize the body, keeping the metabolism active and the weight under control. Vitamin C keeps kidneys, liver, stomach, prostate and other organs active. Since this vitamin boosts the function of all the organs, the metabolism rate naturally picks up to serve the demands of these organs. Some of the foods good in vitamin C are cantaloupe, green and red peppers, spinach, cabbage, turnip greens, citrus fruits and juices.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is ancillary to kicking up metabolism rates. Vitamin D comes naturally from the sun. This is a feel good vitamin that will help cheer up your moods, inducing our systems towards well being and promote rejuvenation and energy. Milk, egg, salmon, cod liver oil and Swiss cheese are a few good vitamin D rich foods.
