How Well Do Your Patients Understand Their Metabolism?
Education is power—especially for patients managing their weight. Understanding metabolism can be a game changer, and knowing they have some control over it can be incredibly motivating.
A healthy metabolism is closely linked to daily activity and muscle mass—both of which are influenced by protein intake and exercise. Muscle burns approximately three times more calories than fat at rest, making it a key factor in long-term weight management.1
A recent article in The New York Times Magazine states:
“Men don’t have innately higher metabolism than women; rather, they tend to burn more calories per day for their size because they typically have a higher proportion of muscle, which uses more energy than fat does” (Tingley, 2021).
Since protein + exercise help patients maintain or build muscle mass, they can also help increase calorie burn. That’s why Unjury® recommends high-quality protein + exercise for lifelong success.
Three Educational Tips to Help Patients Take Control of Their Metabolism
1. Prioritize protein—The thermic effect of food (TEF) refers to the energy required to digest, absorb, and metabolize nutrients. Protein has the highest TEF, with 20–30% of its calories burned during digestion, compared to 5–10% for carbohydrates and 0–3% for fats. This means that consuming more protein naturally increases calorie burn.2
2. Increase daily movement—Nonexercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) includes small movements like pacing, fidgeting, and doing household chores. NEAT accounts for up to 15–20% of total daily energy expenditure and can vary by as much as 2,000 calories per day between individuals. Encouraging patients to stay active throughout the day can have a significant impact on their metabolism.3
3. Boost basal metabolic rate (BMR)—BMR is the number of calories burned at rest to keep essential functions running. Since muscle burns more calories than fat—even at rest—building lean muscle with protein and exercise can increase BMR over time.
Key Takeaway
You can improve your lean muscle mass—and metabolism—with high-quality protein and exercise.
Remember: High-quality protein + exercise = lifelong success with Unjury!
References
1. Mayo Clinic. 2022. Accessed from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/metabolism/art-20046508.
2. Ravn AM et al. Food Nutr Res. 2013;57.
3. von Loeffelholz C et al. Endotext. 2022.
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