Metabolism and metabolic processes are of great importance to human health and performance. Impairments can lead to a wide range of diseases.
What is metabolism?
Human metabolism is also known as metabolism or energy metabolism. In this context, metabolism, as a biological process, comprises a chain of processes that extends from the uptake of substances, through their transport and processing, to the release of substances. Various forms of metabolism take place in the human body; these forms include so-called foreign substance metabolism (the metabolism of foreign substances). The metabolism of energy is also one of the forms of metabolism in the human body. Essentially, metabolic processes are determined by chemical changes and conversions taking place (e.g. conversion of food to energy) of various substances. In order for metabolism in the body to proceed unhindered, various enzymes (proteins) are required, among other things, to initiate and control the corresponding chemical changes. The enzymes themselves are not changed by metabolism.
Importance and function
Metabolism in its various forms plays an important role in the health and thus the functioning of the human body. Even when a person is at complete rest, the organism requires a certain amount of energy to maintain vital functions. This energy is provided by the metabolism, which in a resting person is also known as the basal metabolic rate or basal metabolic rate. As part of the foreign substance metabolism mentioned at the beginning, foreign substances are absorbed from outside and converted to ensure bodily functions. These foreign substances include, for example, food and oxygen. Metabolism of foreign substances includes, for example, building metabolism, a process in which foreign substances are converted into the body’s own components. In another metabolic function, metabolism serves to obtain required energy (this is referred to as energy metabolism). This energy can be obtained, for example, through processes such as fat burning or the metabolism of glucose (a simple sugar). The body’s metabolism is also needed, for example, to absorb minerals or trace elements and distribute them in the organism. One of the trace elements important for the body is iron. The metabolism of iron is also referred to as iron metabolism. Finally, a metabolism known as starvation metabolism occurs in the human body when there is a nutrient deficiency. This metabolism is characterized, among other things, by the fact that the basal metabolic rate is lowered after a few days of nutrient deficiency and the metabolic processes slow down. Such an altered metabolism serves to maintain the life of the organism.
Dangers, disorders, risks and diseases
Various factors can cause the metabolism of the human body to become impaired in its function. These impairments can then lead to a variety of diseases and ailments. Causes of corresponding diseases related to a disturbed metabolism may include underproduction or overproduction of various substances. A disturbed metabolism can also be due to the fact that corresponding substances cannot be sufficiently stored by the body. One of the most common diseases associated with a disturbed metabolism and therefore also referred to as metabolic diseases is diabetes mellitus (diabetes). Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease. The impaired metabolism is manifested here in elevated blood glucose levels or impaired sugar metabolism. Impaired thyroid function is also often associated with a disturbed metabolism: some of the thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland are essential for various metabolic processes (for example, for regulating the basal metabolic rate). If, for example, too few of these hormones are produced in the case of hypothyroidism or too many hormones are produced in the case of hyperthyroidism, this has negative effects on a regulated metabolism. Severe overweight such as obesity can also impair the metabolism.For example, this can lead to lipometabolic disorders. If, in addition, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus occur at the same time in connection with severe obesity, this is sometimes referred to in medicine as a so-called metabolic syndrome (i.e. a syndrome affecting the metabolism). If the syndrome affecting the metabolism occurs in industrialized countries, it is also colloquially referred to as the affluence syndrome.
