Difference Between Fast Metabolism and Slow Metabolism (With Table)

The burning of calories is very important. In some living beings, it is fast. Whereas in some living beings, it is slow. The rate at which metabolism, or in layman terms, the breakdown of chemicals or food occurs inside the body, affects several other health conditions as well. This situation is common in the case of all animals.

Fast Metabolism vs Slow Metabolism

The main difference between fast metabolism and slow metabolism is that Fast metabolism refers to a process in which substances are broken down at a quicker and rapid rate inside the human body, resulting in faster energy delivery to the cells. However, on the contrary, slow metabolism refers to the breakdown of chemicals within the human body at a very slow rate and tempo, resulting in a slower delivery of energy into the cells.

People with an unusually rapid metabolism process have a faster heartbeat rate and shed a significant quantity of weight. The metabolism of smaller mammals is usually faster. In the event of a fast metabolism, catabolism occurs at a breakneck speed. Hyperthyroidism is one of the diseases that causes or accelerates human metabolism. Stimulant medication use, on the other hand, accelerates metabolism.

People with a slow metabolism have dry, brittle hair, sluggish behaviour, acquire weight, and their work productivity suffers as a result. Large-bodied mammals have a slower metabolic rate than smaller mammals. In the case of a slow metabolism process, catabolism occurs at a glacial pace. Ageing, hypothyroidism, and even the side effects of anti-seizure medicine are some of the illnesses that induce sluggish metabolism in humans.

Comparison Table Between Fast Metabolism and Slow Metabolism

Parameters of Comparison

Fast Metabolism

Slow Metabolism

Size: Metabolism rate

Smaller animals possess fast metabolism

Larger animals possess slow metabolism

BMR rate

Fast BMR

Slow BMR

Catabolism rate

Fast

Slow

Causes

Hyperthyroidism, drugs

Hypothyroidism, drugs

Energy delivery

Faster

Slower

Side-effects

Weight loss, faster heartbeat

Dry and brittle hair, sluggish, weight gain

Examples

Hummingbird, mice

Elephants

What is Fast Metabolism?

A fast metabolism is a process in which chemicals are broken down at a much faster rate inside the human body, resulting in a faster transfer of energy to the cells. People with an unusually rapid metabolism process in their bodies typically have a faster cardiac rate and shed a significant amount of weight. Smaller mammals’ bodies have a faster rate of metabolism than larger mammals.

The rate at which the body’s metabolism, or the breakdown of chemicals or food, happens has an impact on a variety of different health issues. This is a common occurrence in the case of all animals. Hummingbirds and mice are two instances of creatures that have a quicker metabolism through birth and nature.

Catabolism occurs at a breakneck speed in the fat metabolism process. Hyperthyroidism is one of the illnesses that causes or accelerates the process of quick metabolism in people. Stimulant medication use, on the other hand, speeds up the metabolic process.

What is Slow Metabolism?

Slow metabolism is a process in which the substances inside the human body are broken down at a very slow rate and pace, resulting in a slower delivery of energy into the cells. People with an unusually slow metabolism process in their bodies tend to have dry, brittle hair, sluggish behaviour, acquire weight and have lower work efficiency.

Elephants, for example, have a slower metabolism and birth rate than other animals. Those mammals with a huge physique usually have a slow metabolism rate. Catabolism occurs at a very sluggish rate in the case of a slow metabolic process.

Ageing, hypothyroidism, and even the side effects of anti-seizure medicine are some of the illnesses that induce sluggish metabolism in humans. The importance of calorie burning cannot be overstated. It happens quickly in certain living things. In some living beings, however, it is slow.

Main Differences Between Fast Metabolism and Slow Metabolism

  1. The process in which the breakdown of substances occurs at a very higher pace inside the human body, which results in faster delivery of energy into the cells, is called fast metabolism. On the other hand, the process in which the substances inside the human body are broken down but at a very slow rate and pace, which results in a slower delivery of energy into the cells, is called slow metabolism.
  2. The rate of catabolism in the case of the fast metabolism process is highly rapid. On the other hand, the rate at which catabolism happens in the case of a slow metabolism process is very slow.
  3. One of the disorders that cause or speed up the process of fat metabolism in humans is hyperthyroidism. However, the consumption of stimulant drugs also paces up the metabolism process. On the other hand, some of the disorders that cause slow metabolism in the case of humans are ageing, hypothyroidism or even the experience of anti-seizure medication due to the drug’s effect.
  4. People who possess an unusual faster metabolism process in their body generally have a higher heartbeat rate and lose a considerable amount of weight as well. On the other hand, People who possess an unusual slow metabolism process in their body generally possess dry and brittle hair, sluggish behaviour, gain more weight and their work efficiency also decreases.
  5. Some examples of animals that possess faster metabolism by birth and nature include hummingbirds and mice. On the other hand, examples of some animals that possess slower metabolism by nature and birth include elephants.
  6. Usually, the body of mammals that are smaller in size possesses a faster rate of metabolism. On the other hand, usually, those mammals which possess a large body have a slow metabolism rate.

Conclusion

Calorie expenditure is essential. It is quick in some living things. Crow, Pigeon, Hummingbirds and mice are some of the instances of creatures born with a quicker metabolism. However, Elephants, Giraffes, Camels are an example of an animal with a slower metabolism and birth.

Some biological beings, on the other hand, have a slow metabolism. Several other health disorders are influenced by the rate at which metabolism, or the breakdown of molecules or food, happens inside the body. In the case of all animals, this is a common occurrence.

References

  1. https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2435.2008.01468.x
  2. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00360-002-0309-5