Science & Technology

Can Exercise Actually “Boost” Your Metabolism? | Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter | TED

Can you “boost” your metabolism by exercising more? Well, it’s complicated. Diving deep into surprising truths about how the body conserves and expends energy in the form of calories, Dr. Jen Gunter reveals what your metabolism actually does, the role of exercise — and other things weight loss culture doesn’t want you to know. For…

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Can you “boost” your metabolism by exercising more? Well, it’s complicated. Diving deep into surprising truths about how the body conserves and expends energy in the form of calories, Dr. Jen Gunter reveals what your metabolism actually does, the role of exercise — and other things weight loss culture doesn’t want you to know. For more on how your body works, tune in weekly to her podcast Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter, from the TED Audio Collective.

Think you know how your body works? Think again! In this TED original series, Dr. Jen Gunter will share the truth about what’s *really* going on inside you. For more, tune into her podcast, Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter:

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62 Comments

  1. Internet Hobo

    October 12, 2022 at 4:11 pm

    She’s correct and I get the significance of it, but I don’t think she had communicated all her ideas accurately.

    300 calories a day seems rather significant to me. If you’re building muscle, according to her, larger bodies have faster metabolisms. The “unless you’re a professional athlete” line doesn’t explain that as well as just stating it would, and it would be good to see a range of calories for that.

    • Home Wall

      October 12, 2022 at 6:02 pm

      If you can stick to significant exercise that builds muscle mass, go for it. You’ll be able to eat another small fries each day. Most people stop exercising if it’s hard, others get injured, and few do it with significant muscle mass gain.

  2. arcltdandy

    October 12, 2022 at 4:12 pm

    I thought muscle gained by exercise use more calories throughout the day

  3. Italia2011

    October 12, 2022 at 4:20 pm

    She should have just said nutrition plays a bigger part than exercise when it comes to managing weight and as you lose weight your energy demand will drop as well and called it a day

    • Blake Beaton

      October 12, 2022 at 9:20 pm

      I have been 185lbs and I have been 225lbs. The difference is a consistent calorie intake with proper nutrition and way more resistance training and cardio than an average person can reasonably sustain. Muscle mass was a big part of losing/gaining the weight. But she does say that metabolism and weight loss are fundamentally different things. But you’re right, less sciene than there ought to be focuses on how to lose weight and keep it off using muscle building at the core.

  4. Paul Vlachos

    October 12, 2022 at 4:25 pm

    There is so much wrong with this. My goodness.

  5. felippesponton

    October 12, 2022 at 4:33 pm

    Anyone else thought it was DJ from YFM?

  6. Alois Spielmann

    October 12, 2022 at 4:36 pm

    This is the third posdt of Body Stuff. 3/3 just wrong crap. This is so outrageous! Please TED, overthink your partnership with Jen. You are really loosing credibility here.

  7. Bonnie Gaither

    October 12, 2022 at 4:43 pm

    So, basically, we’re screwed. Got it.

  8. JuuliusTuliuus

    October 12, 2022 at 4:45 pm

    I for real thought that was dee-jay on the thumbnail

  9. Nikolay Koroteev

    October 12, 2022 at 4:46 pm

    Disgusting title “large”. Large means fat. Call a spade a spade

  10. Limit Breaker

    October 12, 2022 at 4:54 pm

    You can make metabolism slower by eating less.

  11. anand kulshrestha

    October 12, 2022 at 5:20 pm

    Eye opening video, usually i was think that metabolism rate effect body weight.

  12. KJ

    October 12, 2022 at 5:21 pm

    Helps explain why exercise alone doesn’t do much for weight loss. It’s still part of the process though. And aside from this tremendous other physical and mental health benefits to be gained as well.

  13. Terence Michaels

    October 12, 2022 at 5:53 pm

    So it is okay to use the word “thin”…..but fat people are “large”. I’m “small”, i.e. thin….and people are quite happy to remind me of it. Usually people who do so are fat and these days if you call me thin I’ll tell them exactly what they are.

  14. Theodoяe Kяap

    October 12, 2022 at 6:08 pm

    idk man, when you exercise you exhaust more CO2, that CO2 is a byproduct of glucose metabolism so if you exercise you actually do consume more glucose whether it’s from the food you ate or converted from your fat deposits.

  15. Cool Girl 007

    October 12, 2022 at 6:24 pm

    Oohhh… I see, thanks

  16. slfandrade

    October 12, 2022 at 6:52 pm

    Interesting to note that she is a gynecologist talking about exercise and weight loss. I wonder if next TED will be a PhD in exercise physiology telling us to not listen to the scientific articles regarding vulvovaginal disorders.

  17. zayayane

    October 12, 2022 at 7:30 pm

    calories in, calories out
    it’s that simple

  18. Gogetassj4666

    October 12, 2022 at 8:03 pm

    good looking mamma

    • 🆆hatsAp+①④①⑦⑧⑨⑦③③⓪②

      October 13, 2022 at 10:52 am

      ✍️👆Thanks for that remark!.
      Always good catching up with you, Leave me a msg I’ve got something essential to share.

  19. Leonard Greenpaw

    October 12, 2022 at 8:40 pm

    Hurray! I will be showing this video to my doctor next time he tells me that I need to exercise more

  20. OJ W

    October 12, 2022 at 9:30 pm

    To control or speed up? Which question are you asking?

  21. Sankara

    October 12, 2022 at 9:55 pm

    This video is misleading AF.

    You already mentioned how one can “boost” their metabolism by getting “bigger”. The study you mentioned shows why a bunch of cardio will not “boost” your metabolism, which most people in the fitness world understand.

    But strength training with the goal of gaining more lean muscle mass will absolutely increase your BMR.

    • sravya varali

      October 13, 2022 at 5:39 pm

      But when people say exercise, very few people actually talk about serious strength training. So the video is not misleading, it is just reflective of general public’s notions. Even if you are strength training, and building a whole lot of muscle, you will gain weight. So you do end up having a bigger body.

  22. youcube

    October 12, 2022 at 10:32 pm

    Well, last week youtube showed me a video which said that running isn’t that healthy and may detrimental to your body, and today I saw this. So basically they just debunked everything without clearly telling us the answer.

  23. DD PWE

    October 12, 2022 at 11:08 pm

    Why is that all these educated people say they understand, but then make comments like that our body gets use to exercise so it spends less. Yes, but that means you can WORK HARDER for the same amount. She’s not wrong, but she also didn’t go further with it leaving out information. This is incomplete and misleading. You’re telling me that people who do actual physical work have the same output as someone who sits at a desk all day? YOU’RE MAD! How can you get so much right with so much wrong? smh

  24. SOS Crazy

    October 12, 2022 at 11:13 pm

    Thanks

  25. MrTrum

    October 12, 2022 at 11:13 pm

    Thanks

    • TrumpGaming

      October 14, 2022 at 8:36 pm

      Hello brother

  26. OldBeerGangster

    October 13, 2022 at 12:28 am

    Just cut the breakfast and snacks from your food intake. And have a cigar.

  27. Fernando Zapatero Arriaga

    October 13, 2022 at 1:45 am

    Yet, we all know that thin guy/girl that eats like 7 people.

  28. TimStreeperMusic

    October 13, 2022 at 2:09 am

    This might be one of the worst TED Talks I’ve ever seen. Keep in mind, I’m a recovering exercise physiologist- so, take my perspective with a grain of salt. While more or less factually accurate (she omits discussing things like excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC)), the message that’s being delivered to the viewer is that exercise just isn’t that important. My guess is that she’s attempting to convey the notion that for the aveage person who exercises at a ~moderate intensity for less than 1 hour per day every day of the week, that exercise alone isn’t especially effective at driving weight loss. That being said, regular exercise is exceptionally effective at weight maintenance- people who exercise regularly do much better at metabolic homeostasis. Exercise is also the best form of prophylactic “medicine” for practically every form of illness- chronic or otherwise. So please, don’t take Dr. Jen’s advice to heart. By all means, EXERCISE.

  29. Iannes Patrus

    October 13, 2022 at 2:14 am

    Don’t use this video as an excuse to not exercise, it is misleading and downplays it’s relevance…

    “If exercise could be packed into a pill, it would be the single most widely prescribed and beneficial medicine in the nation”

  30. Janafernandes805

    October 13, 2022 at 6:47 am

    Thank you, Dr. Jen!

  31. Mukti Gupta

    October 13, 2022 at 7:12 am

    I always like your red jacket.. and you giving immense knowledge in an easy way..

  32. Nelson Artemio

    October 13, 2022 at 8:53 am

    This is just some fat acceptance BS masquerading as science. The omission of lean muscle mass and BMR leaves all those snowflake fatties with the option to throw up their hands and say “see? It’s much genetics”. This video is shameful.

    • 🆆hatsAp+①④①⑦⑧⑨⑦③③⓪②

      October 13, 2022 at 10:47 am

      ✍️✍️✉️☝️

  33. Youil Aushana

    October 13, 2022 at 11:12 am

    I have been telling these, they don’t listen.

    • ©WhatsApp+①⑧⑨⑥⑤①④③②④

      October 13, 2022 at 12:24 pm

      ✍️✍️✍️

  34. Claire 95

    October 13, 2022 at 1:00 pm

    Me: starts blinking super fast to burn calories

    • Ꮤhat'Ƨaaρ ±⁴⁴⁷⁴⁴⁴⁹⁹⁴⁵³⁰

      October 13, 2022 at 2:53 pm

      ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️👆

  35. Cath Hughes

    October 13, 2022 at 1:03 pm

    Then there’s the thyroid portion where someone with hypothyroidism will easily gain weight and someone with hyperthyroidism will easily lose weight.

    • Ꮤhat'Ƨaaρ ±⁴⁴⁷⁴⁴⁴⁹⁹⁴⁵³⁰

      October 13, 2022 at 2:47 pm

      ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️👆

    • sravya varali

      October 13, 2022 at 5:40 pm

      Thyroid and soooo many other hormonal imbalances! Insulin and ghrelin and all that jazz!

    • Ꮤhat'Ƨaaρ ±⁴⁴⁷⁴⁴⁴⁹⁹⁴⁵³⁰

      October 13, 2022 at 5:50 pm

      @sravya varali ✍️Write>>>>>🔝

  36. Vic Blanco

    October 13, 2022 at 1:24 pm

    Basic biochemistry by a PhD, exercise builds muscle, muscle has mitochondria.. mitochondrias burn more energy.. as simple as that

  37. Sorry I'm Late

    October 13, 2022 at 3:11 pm

    Metabolism mostly is genetic, and it help to manage energy.

  38. NOVIANISYA MAHARANI SUSANTO

    October 13, 2022 at 4:09 pm

    Researchers have found that exercise triggers the release of signaling molecules into the bloodstream that release more energy for use by the muscles. Thus increasing metabolism and preventing the possibility of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and dyslipidemia.

    • 🆆hatsAp+①④①⑦⑧⑨⑦③③⓪②

      October 13, 2022 at 6:02 pm

      ✍️✍️✉️☝️☝️

  39. sravya varali

    October 13, 2022 at 5:48 pm

    Okay, there’s just so much random hate in the comments, and I get it. People are offended when they are told that exercise doesn’t “speed up metabolism” although it is true that it wont’. I think this video is a reminder that metabolism is so much more complex than just exercising. Watch Jeff Nippard’s in-depth video on the same subject. Exercise is NOT BAD. It is important. But if you see someone who is unable to lose weight through exercise alone, just know that exercising even harder will most likely not solve the problem. For all of you who are personally hurt by this video, count yourselves lucky that you haven’t had to deal with metabolic issues where exercise, etc. don’t help anymore in controlling your weight. But for a lot of people suffering with various metabolic issues, that is a reality. Additionally, there is this notion that they are lazy, hence their health issues.

    • 🆆hatsAp+①④①⑦⑧⑨⑦③③⓪②

      October 13, 2022 at 6:01 pm

      ✍️✍️✉️☝️.

  40. Squeedles _

    October 14, 2022 at 2:55 am

    what’s the drummer from your favourite martian (DJ) doing in the thumbnail

  41. Charles Abrenica

    October 14, 2022 at 3:15 am

    I’m just here to read all the Bro Science lol

  42. Invox

    October 14, 2022 at 1:46 pm

    I just knew that this was going to be one of those video excuses for fat people. “I’m not fat, it’s my metabolism.”
    Well, I just turned 45 and I lost over 20 pounds in three months and you bet I exercised at least 3 times a week (oddly enough, my diet was pretty much the same but I did cut out desserts during the work week).
    Mitocondria reactions is what turnes calories into energy, and your gut has a fixed number while your muscles can increase and decrease depending on their mass… So yeah, you wanna loose weight you gotta stop looking for excuses and do some life changing choices my friend.

  43. OD

    October 15, 2022 at 5:30 am

    So either exercise doesn’t boost brain function, or brain function isn’t part of metabolism? Methinks the presenter’s brain could benefit from some exercise.

  44. Creo

    October 15, 2022 at 7:23 am

    why…WHY…do people, even doctors still use it falsely ?. 300 kalories are not 2 apples+1 Banana…300 KILOkalories are

  45. Dove Piranha

    October 15, 2022 at 8:31 pm

    This lady just reveals all cards others play😄.

  46. David

    October 16, 2022 at 3:14 am

    Apart from burning calories, exercise builds muscle (skeletal, smooth, cardiac, etc.) and resistance training is as important as cardio. The more lean body mass you have the more basal calories you burn. It’s a fact that this “expert” should acknowledge rather than encouraging people not to exercise to have a boost in metabolism.

  47. rya.

    October 16, 2022 at 12:38 pm

    Thank you from my whole heart.

  48. Vytautas

    October 16, 2022 at 1:48 pm

    This lady is talking pure nonsense. If you sit and do nothing, you burn 2000 cal, if you hard working all day you burn up to 6000 or even more calories. Metabolism itself is not boosted, but you burn waay more calories. Movement is everything, nutritios is overrated

  49. Jeff Smith

    October 16, 2022 at 11:29 pm

    300 calories a day is a massive difference. That’s an extra pound of fat every 12 days. She didn’t even answer the question. Exercise does boost your BMR. Genetics also plays a huge role and knowing that you have a slow metabolism can help you adjust. This is click bate for people that want to justify avoiding exercise.

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