weightloss2010's Journal

Understanding the Basal Metabolic Rate

The significance of Basal Metabolic Rate (for those interested in learning how to lose weight fast)is best understood in its role in maintaining, losing or gaining weight. Known as a unit in measuring the energy, the human body needs calories for 2 reasons.

First, calories are needed to complete the metabolic processes vital to life’s existence. This means that without calories, a person cannot breathe, the heart cannot pump blood, the air cannot fill the lungs, and respiration is impossible to occur.

Every person has a unique BMR, which remains constant. There will be factors that affect the BMR, but these are just momentary. Once over, the body’s BMR resumes.

Second, to go through a day’s activities such as going to work or playing, going on a drive, finishing a painting, or doing a shopping, a person needs calories besides those which are intended for the metabolic rate.

To put it simply, humans need calories to survive—which is essential—and to perform many activities, which are necessary.

70% of the calories burned are attributed to BMR. However, such figures vary based on several factors, both genetic and environmental.

Gender. Compared to women, men have more muscle mass and lower percentage of body fat. Thus, they have higher Basal Metabolic Rate.
Genetics. Some people have a genetic makeup resulting to faster metabolism, while others have theirs that make their metabolism rather slow.
Weight. A heavier an individual weighs, the higher the BMR becomes. As an example, the metabolic rate of women who are obese is higher by 25 % than the metabolic rate of women who are slender.
Age. For a fact, a person’s BMR reduces with age. Thus, after 20 years, it drops to 2 % every 10 years.
Diet. An abrupt calorie-reduction or a starvation can remarkably lower the BMR by 30%. Individuals who are on calorie-restricted diet have their BMR drop by 20%.

More information on BMR on our metabolism site: BMR Data Points

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