by Eric Jefferson

Created on: July 31, 2010   Last Updated: August 01, 2010

Metabolism and Exercise: Combating the Effects of Excess Estrogen

In order to prevent or eliminate the physical effects of excess estrogen it is necessary to first understand metabolism and how the body metabolizes fat in order to reduce the storage capacity for estrogen.  Metabolism is the chemical processes within the body to store and break down food and tissues into a usable energy source for the performance of voluntary physical activity and the involuntary maintenance of life. This understanding combined with that of an effective nutritional plan allows for the implementation of a highly affective exercise plan that can be implemented in steps to reach a longer term goal of a healthier and estrogen balanced body.

In order to keep the metabolism running efficiently it is important to eat 5-6 smaller meals each day.  Eating 3 larger meals per day or skipping meals slows the metabolic rates and increases over eating. In order to survive the body knows that it can go longer with protein as the energy source while it conserve water and fat. When the metabolic rate slows the body conserves water and fat and breaks down muscle into to protein as the primary energy source.  Keeping the metabolic rate high also requires proper hydration and rest.

One of the most common mistakes made by non-sedentary individuals is over training, going catabolic; whereby the body begins to breakdown muscle into the form of protein as a usable energy source.  The first available food source to meet the demands of the body is carbohydrates in the form of glycogen which is stored in the muscles and the liver.  On average the human body can store enough glycogen for 20 minutes of intense aerobic exercise or weight lifting; activities that utilize fast twitch muscle fibers. 

Beyond the first 20 minutes the body decides on fat or protein as the next available energy source.  If the recruitment of fast twitch muscle fibers continues then the body knows that the chemical processes required to breakdown fat are much slower than the processes required to breakdown muscle.  So in order to meet the immediate high intensity needs of the body muscle is broken down and converted to protein as the next available source of energy.  This is a survival mechanism because there is more available protein sources than carbohydrates and fat and because fat is required to maintain proper brain functions, for insulation and temperature regulation and to protect

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