Metabolism refers to all the physical and chemical processes in the body that convert or use energy, such as:

• Breathing
• Circulating blood
• Controlling body temperature
• Contracting muscles
• Digesting food and nutrients
• Eliminating waste through urine and feces
• Functioning of the brain and nerves

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Metabolism

Review Date: 08/14/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)