Why is your BMR Important?
Your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the minimum level of energy your body needs when at rest to function effectively including your respiratory and circulatory organs, neural system, liver, kidneys, and other organs (you even burn calories when sleeping). About 70% of calories consumed every day are used for your basal metabolism. In addition, energy is used when doing any kind of activity; the more vigorous the activity is the more calories are burned. This is because skeletal muscle (which accounts for approximately 40% of your body weight) acts as your metabolic engine and uses a large amount of energy. Your basal metabolism is greatly affected by the quantity of muscles you have, therefor increasing your muscle mass will help increase your basal metabolism.
By studying healthy individuals, scientists have found that as people age, their metabolic rate changes. Basal metabolism rises as a child matures. After a peak at the age of 16 or 17, it typically starts to decrease gradually. Having a higher BMR will increase the number of calories used and help to decrease the amount of body fat. A low BMR will make it harder to lose body fat and overall weight. So monitoring your BMR is an effective tool in managing your healthy weight and body fat goals.
Comments