Basal Metabolism

Also known as:  Basal Metabolic Rate;  BMR;  Resting Metabolic Rate;  RMR

Basal Metabolism involves the combustion of Food, using Oxygen and producing Carbon Dioxide - the rate of Oxygen consumption of an individual indicates their Energy expenditure, i.e. their Basal Metabolic Rate.  The Basal Metabolic Rate measures the speed of all chemical reactions which occur when the body is lying completely at rest (preferably measured immediately upon wakening); for the activity of the internal organs and to maintain body temperature.  Under normal conditions, Basal Metabolism varies between individuals of the same sex by not more than 5% (the BMR of females is on average 11% lower than that of males).

Hormones

 When the body’s Basal Metabolic Rate is increased, the endogenous production of Thyroid Hormones increases (conversely, when the BMR decreases, so does the endogenous production of Thyroid Hormones).

Metabolism

 Increasing the Basal Metabolic Rate may alleviate Obesity (by accelerating the oxidation of Calories):  ^[1]

 When the body’s Basal Metabolic Rate increases, ^[2] increases in tandem.

Increases in the body's Basal Metabolic Rate are mediated by the Adrenergic Nervous System.

Alkaloids

 Caffeine may increase the body’s BMR.  ^[3]

 Capsaicin may increase the body's BMR.  ^[4]

 Ephedrine may increase the body's BMR. 

 Nicotine may increase the body’s BMR (via stimulation of the body’s Dopamine Receptors). 

 Synephrine (50 mg) may increase the body’s BMR (primarily by stimulating Adrenaline and Norepinephrine release and by activating various Adrenergic Receptors):  ^[5]

 In one study, humans given 50 mg of Synephrine experienced an increase in their BMR of 8.2% measured over a period of four hours and the BMR remained above baseline for six hours.

Amino Acids

 Creatine Monohydrate may increase the body’s BMR.  ^[6]

Electromagnetic Radiation

 Exposure of the body to Sunlight may increase the body's BMR (by stimulating the Thyroid Gland).