Metabolism is a set of organic processes that allows growth, reproduction and maintenance of bodily structures in all organisms, including humans. It is necessary for maintaining life. Part of what you eat is converted to energy (measured in calories), which is expended for performing body functions.

Even as you sleep, body functions like respiration, blood circulation and maintenance of body temperature must go on. The rate at which these organic processes are performed while you rest or are inactive is known as the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR).

Accurate measurement of BMR is possible only when the sympathetic nervous system is not stimulated. Therefore, in most cases it is the resting metabolic rate (RMR) that is more commonly used since it is easier to measure.

The Basal Metabolism Rate and the Resting Metabolism Rate dictate the rate at which you expend energy while you are asleep or resting. They depend largely upon a combination of factors like genetics, environment, gender, age, weight, height, body fat percentage and diet. They reduce as one grows older.

The BMR is regulated by Thyroxin, a hormone produced by thyroid glands. This is done by controlling the level of oxidation of cells. Depending on the level of Thyroxin produced, the body uses up high or low levels of energy for the various internal functions of the body. Since the thyroid glad regulates the Basal Metabolism Rate, an under active thyroid leads to weight gain.

It may surprise you to know that the BMR and RMR are responsible for expending up to 70% of the total calories consumed in a day. It is hypothecated that if a person knows the amount of energy from carbohydrates, proteins and fats that is required for maintaining life accurately, a diet that matches the requirements for daily activities can be chosen. Such knowledge can allow you to concentrate on eating the right kind of food in the right proportion rather than just limiting calories.

A slow BMR and RMR can defeat all attempts that you make to lose weight. And therefore any weight loss plan that you consider must be based on a balanced diet that includes foods from all food groups. It should also recommend exercises that help in burning excess fat. An understanding of the foods that an individual requires to manage weight also needs to be based on the specific BMR and RMR of the individual.

Such a concept is currently missing from the current regime of almost all dieting programs that claim to be healthy weight loss plans. Most of the diet plans that one comes across focus on eliminating or including one of the many food groups from the diet €€œ be it carbohydrates or fats or proteins.

To be able to develop a perfect diet plan one needs to understand the exact BMR and RMR of an individual accompanied by an understanding of the exact number of calories that each food provides. However, medical science is still far from being able to calculate either of these two essential elements that can help in devising a perfect diet plan for an individual.

References:

http://en.wikiped...iki/Basal_metabolism

http://www.shapef...-metabolic-rate.html

http://www.mayocl...h/metabolism/WT00006

Originally posted 2008-06-20 19:47:21.

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