Basal Metabolic Rate in Man

Abstract

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the energy used for preserving body functions of a living body in awake state. BMR is a feature of metabolic function and could reveal metabolic adaptation to diseases or nutritional interventions. Determined by indirect calorimetry or with predictive equations, BMR is used in initial and subsequent assessment of medical nutrition therapy. Measured BMR is more accurate in comparison with predicted BMR in special in concurrent co morbidities. Obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders, could modify BMR by various mechanism with consequently implications on medical decisions. Frequently associated, obesity and diabetes could act in opposite directions but did not restore normal BMR. A related metabolic parameter is a respiratory quotient (RQ), which indicate the proportions of macronutrients (carbohydrate, lipid and protein) metabolized by the investigated individual.