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Basal Metabolic Rate


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Last Update: 27 Aug 05

What is BMR?

The Basal (or Resting) Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the amount of energy ( in calories) your body needs each day just to sustain its basic life processes. If you took no exercise at all and lay still, in bed all day, you would still expend this energy. 

It is slightly different for men and women but is a very useful figure to be aware of if you are dieting or trying to lose weight.

What Affects BMR?

Health & Nutrition -  Our Metabolism comprises hundreds of separate chemical reactions which must be fed through a constant supply of the right nutrients. Without vitamins and minerals (particularly vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6 & C) our metabolism can become inefficient and sluggish. This is why a well balanced diet is so important.

Eating Frequency - Our metabolic rate increases during digestion. So it is better to eat little and often if you are trying to burn more calories. Be aware that your body has a super efficient 'starvation mode' which starts to kick in after only about 5 hours without food for men, 3 hours for women.

Muscle - The more muscle you have, the faster you burn calories. Muscle cells are around 8 times more demanding on energy resources than fat cells.

Exercise - It stands to reason that if you do work you burn calories. However, the effect continues for several hours afterwards during which time we continue to burn energy faster.

Age - As we get older, we need fewer calories. Our BMR drops around 2% every 10 years. 

Genetic makeup - Some people have a naturally faster metabolism. (drat!)

There is a BMR Calculator but you need to be a Registered user to access it.

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