RMR stands for Resting Metabolic Rate, which is the amount of energy (calories) your body needs to maintain basic physiological functions while at rest. These functions include breathing, circulating blood, regulating body temperature, and supporting organ function. RMR accounts for the majority of the calories your body burns each day, typically accounting for 60% to 75% of total daily energy expenditure (TDEE).
Several factors influence RMR, including:
Body Composition: Lean body mass (muscle) burns more calories at rest than fat tissue, so individuals with higher muscle mass tend to have higher RMRs.
Age: RMR tends to decrease with age, primarily due to decreases in lean muscle mass and metabolic activity.
Sex: Men generally have higher RMRs than women, partly due to differences in body composition and hormonal factors.
Genetics: Genetic factors can influence metabolic rate and energy expenditure.
Thyroid Function: Thyroid hormones play a key role in regulating metabolism, so thyroid disorders can affect RMR.
Nutritional Status: Extreme caloric restriction or prolonged fasting can temporarily lower RMR as the body adapts to conserve energy.
Physical Activity: While RMR represents the baseline energy expenditure at rest, physical activity and exercise can significantly increase total daily energy expenditure.
Knowing your RMR can be helpful for weight management, as it provides a baseline estimate of the minimum number of calories your body needs to function. By understanding your RMR, you can better tailor your diet and exercise regimen to achieve weight loss, weight maintenance, or weight gain goals. Various methods, such as indirect calorimetry, equations, or online calculators, can estimate RMR based on factors such as age, sex, weight, height, and activity level. For precise measurements, indirect calorimetry, which measures oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production, is considered the gold standard.
At RescueMD, we offer full RMR testing to patients in Allen, Mckinney, Frisco, Plano, Dallas and the surrounding areas.