| Basal Metabolic Rate is not usually the first thing that | | | | would need to take additional steps to prevent |
| comes to mind when you think about weight loss. | | | | excessive weight gain. |
| We usually think about dieting and exercise programs. | | | | Your body must have some fat in order to function. |
| But, BMR is a large factor in how our bodies gain or | | | | Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are used for electrical |
| lose weight. | | | | functions by the heart, brain and muscles. They are |
| Counting the calories consumed in foods or used in | | | | also used by the body for regulating hormones. |
| exercise needs to have some base line to measure | | | | BMR can also be changed when you are injured. This |
| against. Part of this measurement is based on the | | | | is a temporary change while your body is using |
| basal metabolic rate or BMR. The BMR is the base | | | | essential fatty acids and proteins to rebuild damaged |
| rate for the body's calorie consumption for the basic | | | | tissues. Some weight can be lost when recovering |
| functions of the body like pumping blood, maintaining | | | | from an injury, depending on its severity. Of course, |
| body temperature and repairing blood cells. | | | | you wouldn't want to go out and break a leg just to |
| The food calories consumed and the exercise calories | | | | lose a few pounds :) |
| expended are both important to success in weight | | | | Foods that are high in fat and refined sugars can |
| loss. The number of calories taken in less the number | | | | reduce the basal metabolic rate because they are |
| of calories used equals the calories that are left to be | | | | low in fiber and bulk. This slows down the activity in |
| stored as fat in adipose tissues. That amount is | | | | the intestines and causes the body to absorb more |
| approximately 70 calories per hour; a little more when | | | | calories from them. Proper nutrition and getting |
| we are awake and a little less when we are sleeping. | | | | enough vitamins and minerals can help regulate the |
| Everyone has a slightly different BMR depending | | | | BMR. |
| partially on their genetics and partially on their body | | | | BMR is generally determined by family genetics. To |
| types. | | | | prevent the poor BMR levels that are handed down |
| Other factors that affect the basal metabolic rate | | | | from the generations before you, it is important to |
| are your body temperature (for instance, if you have | | | | eat a proper diet and exercise according to your age |
| a fever) and some medications (such as | | | | and body's fitness level. |
| antidepressants). A fever can cause weight loss and | | | | Taking the basal metabolic rate into account when |
| antidepressants can cause weight gain. Talk to your | | | | you are planning to lose weight will help you on the |
| health care professional about how the medications | | | | road to success. |
| you take can affect your body and whether you | | | | |