Metabole snelheid

The body's metabolic rate refers to the overall rate at which metabolic reactions consume energy.

It can be measured as the total metabolic rate or TMR and the basal metabolic rate or BMR.

TMR quantifies the total energy expenditure rate per unit of time, including the energy spent on both voluntary and involuntary activities.

Conversely, BMR measures the energy expenditure at rest, sustaining essential activities like breathing and organ functions.

Several factors influence BMR, like age, gender, body temperature, stress, and the hormone thyroxine.

Younger individuals have a higher BMR as energy is needed for growth. But, in old age, BMR declines as skeletal muscles atrophy.

Additionally, males generally have a higher BMR than females due to greater muscle mass.

BMR is directly proportional to body temperature so BMR increases rapidly during fever.

Physical and emotional stress can also increase BMR by activating the sympathetic nervous system.

Among hormones, thyroxine increases the BMR by accelerating cellular respiration and increasing ATP utilization.