Metabolism, as I outlined two blogs ago, is the energy needed in cells to do the work of living. The net calories needed to maintain organ systems, a very basic consideration is called the Resting Energy Expenditure or REE. The REE or basal metabolic rate is the energy it takes to keep us alive for a twenty-four hour period not taking into account the other two broad areas of caloric need, namely, physical activity and the energy expenditure in digesting and absorbing food, the thermic effect of food. Imagine the REE as the energy it takes to sit in an easy chair watching television and not moving. It encompasses the energy required to maintain a healthy liver, spleen, intestinal system, brain and so on.
As mentioned before, colloquially referring to someone’s “metabolism” as being high or low, neglects the nuances of the system. REE alone (sometimes referred to as the basal metabolic rate), again, refer to just the bare bones caloric needs to keep one alive. The magnitude of the difference between the REE and basal metabolic rate (BMR) is small and includes distinctions primarily needed for research protocols. Suffice it to say the REE is the daily cost in calories that it takes to just maintain living organ systems. And the energy it takes to keep a 15 year olds liver healthy is mimimally different than a 67 year old liver. Therefore, and there is some measure of controversy here, the REE does not change appreciably with age.
More when you have more time,
WG
1 comment:
Briefly discussed info on metabolism but convincingly direct. Everyone should understand that they should enhance their metabolism in order to effectively manage their weight concerns. Great work, indeed!
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