
We may think that our metabolism rate is predetermined by factors such as genetics, but new evidence suggests that the speed at which we burn through calories can be shaped by our lifestyle.
A study out of Brazil found that intensive aerobic exercise, such as High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) or a challenging treadmill run, not only boosts communication between skeletal muscles and fat tissue, it can also boost our metabolism and even provide new treatments for metabolic diseases associated with aging and obesity.
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The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, found that the exercise increased the production of certain microRNAs – signaling molecules – which decrease with age and obesity.
However, as expected, there was quite a bit of variation in the impact of exercise person-to-person, which might explain why some people may benefit from exercise more than others.
See also: How to boost happy chemicals in your brain naturally.