BMR stands for basal metabolic rate. It's the number of calories your body needs to perform essential functions like breathing, blood circulation, cell growth, body temperature regulation, hair growth, and hormone production. It's the energy your body uses just to stay alive while at rest.
Your BMR is influenced by factors like age, gender, weight, height, and muscle mass. It's often used as a starting point for calculating daily calorie needs and can be helpful in weight management.
Here's a breakdown of key aspects of BMR:
- Definition: BMR is the minimum number of calories your body needs to sustain its basic functions while at rest.
- Importance: It represents the largest part of your total daily calorie needs and is a crucial factor in weight management.
- Calculation: BMR can be calculated using various formulas, taking into account factors like age, gender, weight, height, and muscle mass. There are online calculators available that can help you estimate your BMR.
- Factors Affecting BMR: Age, gender, weight, height, muscle mass, genetics, and even thyroid function can influence your BMR.
