| A person's basal metabolic rate refers to the | | | | impact of hereditary factors, basal metabolic |
| number of calories his or her body burns | | | | rate also can change significantly with age |
| while at rest. The human body needs some | | | | and/or activity level. Generally speaking, |
| calories simply to breathe, pump blood, and | | | | the more lean body mass a person has, the |
| maintain body temperature. It represents the | | | | higher his or her basal metabolic rate. |
| minimum number of calories an individual | | | | Conversely, as body fat percentage increases, |
| needs to survive in the absence of any | | | | basal metabolic rate decreases. |
| activity. Literally, basal metabolic rate | | | | |
| represents the quantity of calories needed | | | | One of the reasons that cardiovascular |
| just to stay in bed and sleep all day. | | | | exercise and weight training play such an |
| | | | important role in weight loss is that these |
| The higher a person's basal metabolic rate, | | | | two activities can increase basal metabolic |
| the more calories that individual burns off | | | | rate. The reason that people have a tendency |
| without engaging in any physical activity. | | | | to gain weight as they age if their exercise |
| Basal metabolic rate may vary significantly | | | | levels do not increase, is that basal |
| from one person to another. An individual's | | | | metabolic rate tends to decrease as they age |
| basal metabolic rate is partially grounded in | | | | and naturally begin to lose lean muscle mass. |
| genetics. Men typically have a higher basal | | | | After the age of 20, basal metabolic rate |
| metabolic rate than women, because they tend | | | | tends to decrease by about two percent each |
| to naturally have both a greater muscle mass | | | | year. If calorie consumption remains constant |
| and a lower percentage of body fat. | | | | but exercise levels do not increase, weight |
| | | | gain will occur as basal metabolic rate |
| Hormonal factors can also impact basal | | | | declines with age. |
| metabolic rate. Thyroxin, which is produced | | | | |
| by the thyroid gland, is a very important | | | | Individuals who are overweight or obese have |
| factor in basal metabolic rate. If a person | | | | a high risk for chronic conditions such as |
| does not produce a sufficient quantity of | | | | high blood pressure, diabetes, and high |
| thyroxin, his or her basal metabolic rate | | | | cholesterol. A person that is overweight |
| will slow. If too much thyroxin is produced, | | | | should try to avoid gaining additional weight |
| basal metabolic rate can increase by as much | | | | and increase their daily activity level. |
| as 100 percent. This is the reason that | | | | Additionally, if you are overweight with |
| untreated thyroid problems can lead to | | | | other risk factors (such as high LDL |
| extreme weight fluctuations. Fortunately, | | | | cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high |
| thyroxin imbalances can be controlled by | | | | blood pressure), you should try to lose |
| medication for most people. | | | | weight. Even a small weight loss (just 10% of |
| | | | your current weight) may help in lowering the |
| Additionally, regardless of gender or other | | | | risk of disease. In order to lose weight, you |
| genetic factors, some people naturally have | | | | simply need to increase your daily activity |
| slower metabolisms, and others have higher | | | | or consume fewer calories than those needed |
| basal metabolic rates. In addition to the | | | | to maintain your weight. |