It's now been 20 years since Evans & Rosenberg began publishing their findings on metabolic syndrome as an outcome of wasting of strength (type II) fiber. One can prevent and  stop/reverse sarcopenia or muscle wasting simply by adding a program of three to four daily resistance training sessions with bodyweight, bands, tubes, or weights - but preferably not machines. To enhance metabolism, it's also been well known for at least 15 years that EPOC - Extended Post-workout Oxygen Consumption revs the metabolic rate for up to 24 hours post-workout. Sometimes known as HIIT (high intensity interval training) or interval training, this method is at the heart of P90X (not well thought through), Tabatha training, and the work of a number of contemporary fitness coaches. Perhaps the best developed is the work of Scott Abel, subject of a serialized article I did on him in the July and August issues of Iron Man Magazine, 2008.

EPOC resembles the way gymnasts, sprinters, speed skaters, and boxers train - sudden rather short bouts of effort followed by a brief rest and incomplete recovery - you're still breathing deep when strarting the next set - and sustain that for an hour or so. 

Some natural products can add to sustaining heightened metabolism. I'm in disagreement with putting high octain fuel in an engine that's not used, hence not fit for such performance enhancing sustances. Besides, reliance on food as medicine mimics the magical pill mentality the pharmaceutical monopoly would keep us in mind control with. All of which dehumanizes us all the more further. Good physical training merely restores the upstream condition of our evolutionary blueprint - of which metabolism is but one vital bio-marker.

best regards,

Ken O'Neill

Wimberley, Texas