Basal metabolic rate is the total metabolic rate of the human organism. In order for the body to maintain all functions, it requires a certain level of energy. If the rate falls below the minimum, there is a breakdown of important structures.
What is the basal metabolic rate?
The basal metabolic rate is the total metabolic rate of the human organism. The energy requirement is differentiated into basal metabolic rate and power metabolic rate. Thus, both elements represent a part of the total metabolic rate. The basal metabolic rate refers to the energy necessary for all organs and muscles to work adequately at an outside temperature of 20 degrees. If the thermometer falls or rises, the body needs energy to regulate the body temperature. Unlike power metabolic rate, it is invariable and occurs due to genetic factors. Women generally have a lower basal metabolic rate. It also varies throughout life, depending on age, weight and height. With the help of certain formulas, it is possible to calculate the vital energy. This plays a role especially during the gain or loss of body weight. Ultimately, the basal metabolic rate can be defined as the energy used by the body at rest for respiration, heartbeat, digestion, etc. Certain diseases can alter the amount of energy required for life. Certain diseases can alter the requirement so that it is increased or decreased above average. Such a condition usually results in other complaints such as involuntary weight gain. In most cases, however, successful treatment is possible.
Function and task
Basal metabolic rate plays a very important role in human life. It enables the function of all organs and muscles. At the same time, it does not include the energy that is necessary for the exercise of movements. This is the power metabolism. How high or low the basal metabolic rate is is influenced by various factors. These include, for example, height and individual weight. The larger and heavier a person is, the more metabolically active structures he has. This results in a higher basal metabolic rate for a person with a height of 1.80 meters than for a child of 1.20 meters. At the same time, such a stature means an increased surface area. The larger the surface area, the more energy must be invested in maintaining body temperature. Furthermore, gender is usually relevant in determining basal metabolic rate. Due to genetic factors, men often have more muscle mass than women. However, because muscles have a greater energy requirement, this in turn affects the basal metabolic rate. Athletic individuals with well-developed muscles exhibit a similar effect compared with people who do not exercise regularly. At the same time, this can explain the decreasing basal metabolic rate with advancing age. Because muscle mass is lost after a certain point, older people need less energy to maintain all bodily functions. The basal metabolic rate is divided among different organs and can be represented as an average percentage. For example, the liver and muscles require the most energy. In total, these two structures account for about 26 percent of the basal metabolic rate. The brain follows with 18 percent, the heart with 9 percent and the kidneys with 7 percent. The remaining energy is divided among the other organs, such as the stomach and intestines. Without the basal metabolic rate, humans could not survive because all physical structures require energy to do their work, regardless of whether a person is at rest or engaged in athletic activity. For example, the basal metabolic rate ensures that the heart beats continuously or that oxygen is pumped through the lungs and thus the bloodstream.
Diseases and ailments
Various diseases exist that can alter the basal metabolic rate. These include, for example, complaints that affect the thyroid gland. This can be either an over- or underfunction of the organ. The thyroid gland is significantly involved in metabolism and the regulation of body heat. However, certain conditions cause the gland to release either too many or too few of the important hormones.In most cases, hypothyroidism is caused by inflammation of the thyroid gland, in which the organism mistakenly produces antibodies directed against the organ. In this way, tissue degradation occurs and fewer hormones are released, causing the basal metabolic rate to drop. Affected persons often feel a more intense sensation of cold and gain weight more quickly because of the slow metabolism. In hyperfunction, on the other hand, hormone production is not handled by specific areas in the brain. Instead, there is autonomy of the organ, resulting in too many hormones entering the blood. Often, hyperthyroidism is evident by an enlargement of the organ. Because the metabolism is increased, there is also increased sweating, nervousness and insomnia. Both thyroid disorders are remedied by tablets that regulate the basal metabolic rate.
