Metabolism is the sum of all biochemical changes that occur in living organisms and cells. The primary purpose of metabolism is to convert food into the energy required for cellular processes. It also involves the conversion of food into the building blocks of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as the excretion of nitrogenous waste products.
The rate at which the metabolism converts food into usable energy is referred to as the metabolic rate. The minimum amount of energy the body needs to survive is called the basal metabolic rate, or BMR. At CarE MediC clinics, we measure the basal metabolic rate and provide appropriate guidance and recommendations for further monitoring and management of abnormal values.
Metabolism in living organisms is divided into primary and secondary:
– Primary metabolism: This includes the basic chemical transformations on which the organism’s life and growth directly depend. These include the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, amino acids, and nucleic acids.
– Secondary metabolism: involves chemical processes in individual groups of organisms that produce and break down specific non-protein chemicals. These may include various amines, hormones, pigments, and structural molecules that form the body’s framework.
Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is a measure of how many calories the body needs to burn at rest to maintain its basic vital functions. In this state, energy is used solely to sustain vital organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, nervous system, internal organs, liver, the lungs, the reproductive organs, the muscles, and the skin. Generally, BMR is determined for the purpose of weight loss. To maintain a healthy weight, it is essential to balance energy intake on the one hand and energy expenditure on the other.
The energy the body burns throughout the day is called total daily energy expenditure (TDEE). It consists of three components: basal metabolic rate, the thermic effect of food, and energy expenditure from physical activity. These components make up the body’s exact daily energy requirement. Surprisingly, the body burns more calories and energy at rest because every organ in our body is muscle. Muscles require a lot of energy to function.
How many calories are burned in daily life:
1. Basal metabolic rate: 60–75% of all daily calories are burned during this process
2. Thermogenic activity (movement and exercise): – In this state, 15–30% of calories are burned
3. Thermic effect of food (calories burned during digestion): These account for 10% of the total calories consumed each day