Understanding Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

When it comes to health, weight management, and energy levels, a few terms are as important — yet often misunderstood — as Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). Whether you’re trying to lose weight, improve your fitness, or simply understand how your body works, knowing your BMR is a valuable starting point.

In this article, we’ll explain what BMR is, what it means to have a higher or lower BMR, and how it connects to your overall health and lifestyle choices.

What Is Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)?

Your Basal Metabolic Rate is the amount of energy — measured in calories — that your body uses to maintain basic life functions at rest. These include essential processes like:

  • Breathing
  • Circulation
  • Cell production
  • Body temperature regulation
  • Nutrient processing
  • Brain and nerve function


In short, BMR is the number of calories your body needs just to survive, even if you were to lie in bed all day doing nothing.

Understanding Basal Metabolic Rate image

How Is BMR Different from Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)?

BMR is often confused with TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure). While BMR is your resting energy requirement, TDEE includes all calories burned through physical activity, digestion, and other daily movements. TDEE = BMR + activity level + thermic effect of food.

Knowing both your BMR and TDEE can help you accurately estimate how many calories your body needs each day to maintain, gain, or lose weight.

Is a Higher or Lower BMR Better?

Whether a higher or lower BMR is “better” depends on context and individual goals:

A Higher BMR

People with a higher BMR burn more calories at rest. This can be beneficial if you’re trying to lose weight or maintain a lean physique, as your body naturally burns more energy throughout the day.

Factors that can increase BMR:

  • Higher muscle mass
  • Younger age
  • Male gender (on average)
  • Active thyroid (high thyroid hormones)
  • Genetics
  • Regular physical activity, especially strength training


A Lower BMR

A lower BMR means your body uses fewer calories at rest. This can make it easier to gain weight, which may be helpful for people who are underweight or have high energy demands due to specific conditions.

However, a very low BMR can also indicate slowed metabolism or health issues such as:

  • Hypothyroidism
  • Muscle loss
  • Aging
  • Extreme calorie restriction (which can lead to metabolic adaptation)

How Does BMR Relate to Health?
Understanding your BMR can offer many insights into your overall health and metabolism.

  • Weight Management
    Knowing your BMR helps you set realistic calorie targets for weight loss, maintenance, or muscle gain. If you consume fewer calories than your BMR and TDEE, you may lose weight. But if you go too low, your body may slow metabolism further and lose muscle mass.

  • Metabolic Health
    A healthy BMR is often a sign of good metabolic function. Very low BMRs may suggest hormonal imbalances, undernutrition, or muscle loss—especially in older adults or those recovering from illness.

  • Nutrition Planning
    By calculating your BMR and TDEE, you can better plan your macronutrient intake (proteins, fats, carbs) based on your energy needs. This helps avoid overeating or undereating.

  • Fitness & Performance
    Athletes or active individuals often monitor their BMR to ensure they’re eating enough to fuel training and recovery. Muscle-building increases BMR, which supports a healthier body composition and greater endurance.

 

How to Increase Your BMR Naturally

If you’re concerned about having a low BMR or just want to boost your metabolism, here are some healthy ways to do it:

  • Build Muscle
    Muscle tissue burns more calories than fat, even at rest. Strength training is key. 

  • Eat Enough Protein
    Protein requires more energy to digest and helps preserve muscle.

  • Stay Active
    Regular movement and exercise, even light activity, keeps metabolism from slowing down.

  • Avoid Crash Diets
    Extreme calorie cutting can reduce BMR. Instead, aim for gradual and sustainable weight loss.

  • Get Quality Sleep
    Poor sleep can affect hormones that regulate metabolism.

  • Manage Stress
    High stress can disrupt hormone levels and slow metabolism over time.

Can DNA Testing Help Understand Your Metabolism?

Yes! Genetic testing, like the one offered by MyDNA, can provide insights into how your body processes nutrients, stores fat, and your potential metabolic rate. This information can be extremely helpful in customising a diet and fitness plan based on your unique genetic profile.

To summarise…

Your Basal Metabolic Rate is more than just a number — it’s a key to understanding how your body uses energy and how you can make smarter decisions about your health. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, gain muscle, or just live healthier, knowing your BMR is an important first step.

By combining BMR insights with lifestyle strategies and genetic information, you can unlock your body’s full potential and move toward a healthier, more balanced life.

As the field of genetics continues to evolve, Singapore’s balanced regulatory framework serves as a model for promoting innovation while safeguarding public interests. This ensures that the promise of personalised medicine and genetic insights can be fully realised in a way that benefits everyone.

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