You want oatmeal, your partner wants eggs, here's why it matters. In fact, that difference could help you lose some weight!
According to a new study, men's metabolisms respond better on average to a meal laden with high carbohydrates like oats and grains after fasting for several hours, while women are better served by a meal with a higher percentage of fat, such as omelettes and avocados.
We live busy lives, so it's important to understand how seemingly inconsequential decisions, such as what to have for breakfast, can affect our health and energy levels. Whether attempting to lose weight, maintain weight, or just keep up your energy, understanding your diet's impact on your metabolism is important.
The study builds on an existing gap in research on sex differences in how men and women process fat.
"We often have less research data on women's bodies than on men's bodies," said Anita Layton, a professor of Applied Mathematics and Canada 150 Research Chair in Mathematical Biology and Medicine.
"Since women have more body fat on average than men, you would think that they would burn less fat for energy, but they don't," said Layton.
The results of the model suggest that women store more fat immediately after a meal but also burn more fat during a fast. Going forward, the researchers hope to build more complex versions of their metabolism models and extend beyond the consideration of biological sex by incorporating an individual's weight, age, or stage in the menstrual cycle.
Hormonal Differences
The differences in fat-burning mechanisms between men and women stem primarily from hormonal, physiological, and metabolic variations.
Estrogen promotes fat storage, particularly in the hips and thighs, which is thought to be evolutionarily advantageous for childbearing. It also enhances fat oxidation during exercise, especially at lower intensities. Progesterone can counteract estrogen’s effects and may lead to fluid retention and fat storage during certain phases of the menstrual cycle.
Higher levels of testosterone in men promote muscle growth, which increases basal metabolic rate (BMR) and enhances overall calorie expenditure
Men generally rely more on glycogen for energy during exercise rather than fat, particularly at higher intensities.
Fat Oxidation During Exercise
At low to moderate exercise intensities, women tend to burn a higher percentage of fat compared to carbohydrates, while men rely more on glycogen. This is partly due to estrogen’s effects on fat metabolism. During high-intensity exercise, men generally shift to burning more carbohydrates, whereas women continue to oxidize fat to a greater extent.
Response to Diet
Women’s bodies are more sensitive to calorie deficits, often triggering a metabolic slowdown as a protective mechanism against perceived energy scarcity.
Men typically experience fewer hormonal disruptions in response to caloric restriction, which may make fat loss slightly easier.
Understanding these differences is important to maximize your weight loss goals. A qualified professional, like The Fitness Doctor, can help tailor nutrition and exercise strategies for optimal fat-burning in men and women.
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