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