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    16 Ways to Boost Your Metabolism Without Really Trying

    By | Healthy Living – Wed, Dec 5, 2012 1:45 PM EST

    Getty ImagesGetty ImagesBy Kimberly Dawn Neumann

    Try these easy and sneaky ways to speed up your metabolism and burn more calories, faster.

    Eat Pineapple
    "Pineapple contains bromelain which is used by gastroenterologists to treat gastrointestinal disorders…it's that good!" says Dan Hamner, M.D., a sports medicine and rehabilitation doctor in New York City. Bromelain helps the pancreatic cells break down food substances so that they can enter the energy pathways. In case you were wondering, pina coladas don't count.

    Eat Organic
    If you're not completely sold on the farmers markets yet, here's another argument for you: "Research shows that dieters with higher levels of pesticide chemicals stored in their fat cells had reduced metabolism," says Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., author of A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness. "It appears the toxins in non-organic food can cause your body to store fat rather than metabolize it." So if you don't want to carry last night's dinner around your thighs, your best bet is to stick with organic fruits and vegetables.

    Get It On
    You know how you always feel famished after sex? Well, it's not just your imagination -- it's hormonal. "Have sex often. It increases your hormone levels -- estrogen for women and testosterone for men --which raises metabolism," says Judy Gaman, host of The Staying Young Show and co-author of Stay Young: 10 Proven Steps to Ultimate Health.

    Meditate
    Turns out that regular meditation can help boost metabolism. "Stress wreaks havoc on your body, laying down fat cells particularly around your middle," says Lombardo. "Meditation helps you better control stress, which then allows your body to metabolize your food more effectively." Meditation can also curb stress eating.

    Sip Green Tea
    A spot of tea may be a smart move when it comes to slimming down. "The catechins -- a chemical found in green tea -- help speed up metabolism and reduce body mass index," says Mark Anderson, M.D., co-author of Stay Young: 10 Proven Steps to Ultimate Health. "As an added benefit, some studies show that green tea lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol."

    To read all of the 16 tips, click here!

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