METABOLISM 1

Basal metabolic rate

Objectives
Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
Factors that influence the BMR
Methods of measurement of BMR
Daily energy expenditure
Physical activity level-PAL

Tasks
Measurement of the BMR
Calculation of daily energy expenditure
by tables

http://images.tutorvista.com/cms/images/44/steps- © Katarína Babinská MD, PhD, MSc, Institute of Physiology CU, Bratislava
involved-in-lipid-metabolism1.png
 METABOLISM
- chemical reactions within in the cells
of the body
- continuous, life sustaining reactions

Two aspects of metabolism

• chemical conversion of substances
for tissue synthesis and operation of
the body (e.g. enzymes, hormones)

• conversion of chemical energy

provided by chemical bonds of
nutrients into energy utilizable in cells
(ATP and other high energy bonds)
and its utilization for vital functions
 catabolism – „energy yielding metabolism“
– breakdown of substances (e.g.fat or glycogen stores in the body)
– energy (of the chemical bonds) is released in form of
• chemical energy - utilized for body functions
• heat – maintenance of the constant body temperature
– required for homeostasis and
metabolic reactions

anabolism – „biosynthetic metabolism“

– utilisation of the available substrates for synthesis
(glycogen, structural proteins, hormones, enzymes, bone tissue, etc.)
– energy is consumed in synthetic reactions

- anabolism and catabolism occur continuously in changing proportion

- depending on which processess prevail, the body is in
- catabolic state (fasting)
- anabolic state (food intake)
 Energetics and metabolic rate
metabolism – life sustaining reactions
functions of the human body – require continuous supply of energy:
synthesis of tissues, hormones, muscle contraction, active membrane transport, etc.

Metabolic rate
- is the amount of energy utilized (released) in the body
- usually expressed in kJ/ 24 hours (1 hour, 1 min)

Units
• Joule (J)
• calorie (cal)
– old, but still commonly used unit

• 1 cal = 4,18 J
• 1Cal = 1000 cal

- metabolic rate in a moderately active person: approx. 8 000 -10 000 kJ

- the metabolic rate of individual tissues and organs differs
- high metabolic activity: brain, liver, skeletal muscle

http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v34/n2s/fig_tab/ijo2010234f6.html
 The metabolic rate varies throughout the day

kJ
Sedentary activities

Physical
activity

Sleep Wake up

0 4 8 12 16 20 24 (h)

Sleep – the lowest metabolic rate (by 10-15 % than minimum when awake)

When awake/during the day – an increase in metabolic rate

 Basal metabolic rate (BMR)

- lowest metabolic rate required for the maintenance of vital body functions in
basal conditions

- metabolic rate in a person who is awake and who is in basal conditions

- basal conditions:
1. the person is awake
2. physical rest - lying position
3. emotional rest – elimination of emotional excitement
4. normal body temperature (~ 36-37 °C)
5. neutral temperature of the environment (~ 20 - 23 °C)
6. fasting state
(after fat- or carbohydrate-rich meal 12 hours, protein-rich meal 18 hours)

- basal conditions in real life - only just after we wake up

Main factors explaining the differences in BMR

1. Age
2. Composition and size od the body
3. Gender
4. Hormones
5. Genes

Age
- increasing age - the metabolic rate decreases
- the highest metabolic rate (per 1 kg of body weight) is in children (growth)
- in aging – the body composition is changed – less lean tissue, more fat
 Body size and body composition
- the larger the body size (kg, cm), the higher metabolic rate

Body surface
- the best indicator for estimation of the BMR (better than weight or height)
- directly related to the metabolic rate

Explanation
- larger body size – more heat is lost (through the skin)
- for thermic homeostasis - more heat (energy) needs to be released
- source of heat - metabolism

• Body composition:
- metabolic rate depends on the proportion of fat fre mass/fat mass
- fat mas - lower metabolic rate
- fat free mass - higer metabolic rate
 Gender
- males – higher BMR than females (approx. by 10%)

Causes:
• body composition of males (vs. females)
- lower body fat content (metabolically less active)
- more muscles (metabolically more active)

• larger body size

• higher concentration of testosterone

(anabolic effect)
 Hormones
- thyroid hormones T3, T4 (main role in metabolism regulation)
- catecholamines
- growth hormone
- testosterone

E.g.
Stress – epinephrine – higher metabolic rate
Adaptation to cold climate – higher thyroxine production – elevated BMR
Adaptation to hot climate – lower thyroxine production – decreased BMR
Testosterone – higher BMR in males than in females

Genes
- fast vs slow metabolism
depends on
- heat/chemical energy ratio
basal conditions, basal metabolic rate
- it is difficult to keep the basal conditions, since
the measurements require
- time delay from the last meal
- optimum room temperature
- physical rest in lying position

resting metabolic rate (RMR)

- the individual is in physical rest (lying, sitting position)
- other basal conditions do not need to be kept
- by approx. 10 % higher than BMR
- sometimes used as a substitute for BMR
 Measurement of metabolic rate
1. calculation by formula
e.g. BMR = 293 . body weight (kg) 0,75

2. determination from tables (Harris – Benedict tables)

- data needed: weight, height, gender, age
- read values of BMR from two tables
Value A – depending on age and height
Value B – depending on weight
BMR = Value A + Value B

3. direct calorimetry
- heat released from the body is measured
and recalculated to total energy expenditure
- measurement is performed in special
insulated chambers
- precise, but expensive method, time costly
4. Indirect calorimetry
principle:
- metabolic rate is calculated indirectly
- utilization of O2 and production of CO2 is measured
and based on their values BMR is calculated

Rationale of the method

- human metabolism is aerobic -energy is released by oxidation of substrates
- O2 consumption (and CO2 production) and metabolic rate are directly associated

A/ Closed method - calculation of energy expenditure is based on measurement of

the consumed O2

B/ Open method - calculation of energy expenditure is based on measurement of

both the consumed O2 and produced CO2 (more accurate method)
 Task. Determination of BMR

Determine the basal metabolic rate

a/ by using the Harris – Benedict tables

b/ by indirect calorimetry (open method)
c/ compare the results derived by both mehods
 Estimation of BMR by Harris-Benedict tables
Harris – Benedict tables – tables for estimation of BMR/24 h
account for sex, age, weight and height of the subject
include 2 tables for males and 2 tables for females
1. value of BMR depending on height and age
2. value of BMR depending on weight

Task
Estimate your BMR using the Harris-Benedict tables

Procedure
- read value 1 from the table for height and age (appropriate for your sex)
- read value 2 from the table for weight (appropriate for your sex)

BMR = value 1 + value 2 (kJ /24 h or kcal/24 h)

Result: BMR=
Conclusion:
 Task. Measurement of BMR by indirect calorimetry

Task: determine the BMR (24 h) of a volunteer by the open indirect calorimetry
* it is impossible to keep basal conditions in practicals - in fact the resting metabolic rate is measured

Procedure
- the volunteer is lying on a bed
- his/her nose is clipped, he/she is breathing by mouth through a tube with valve
- inspiration – air from atmosphere
- expiration – the expired air is collected in a Douglas bag

- after 10 minutes the measurement is stopped, the bag is closed

- the BMR/ 24 h is calculated by a series of calculations
Measurements
- a sample of exspired air from Douglas bag is taken (1 litre)
- the sample is analyzed on Spirolyt, measured is:
- consumption of O2 (D O2 ) = O2 decrease
- production of CO2 (D CO2 ) = CO2 increase

-Douglas bag

-the volume of expired air V10 (L) is measured

!!! do not forget to add 1 litre taken for analysis !!!

Values needed for calculations:

- time of the experimenet: 10 min
- volume of ventilated air
− D O2 = O2 consumption (%)
- CO2 production (D CO2 )
Calculations
1 Volume of air in 10 min V10 (L)

2 Volume of oxygen in 10 min V10 x D O2 % (L)

i.e. the result from step (1) multiply by % of consumed oxygen
(e.g. x 3,5% is the same as x 0,035)

3 Volume of oxygen in 1 min (V10 x D O2 %) : 10 (L)

i.e. the result from step (2) divide by 10

4 Volume of oxygen in 24 h (=1440 min) ((V10 x D O2 %) : 10) x 1440

-i.e. the result from step (3) multiply by 1440

5 Read the temerature in the room (C)

6 Read the atmospheric pressure in the room

7 Find the STPD factor (tables)

8 Adjust the volume of oxygen for the STPD conditions

= (result 4) x STPD = volume of oxygen consumed in 24 h (L)

STPD (standard temperature pressure dry) – the value serves for

conversion of the oxygen consumption to standardized conditions
Calculations – cont.
- principle of the method: in oxidation (i.e. consumption of O2) energy is released
- amount of released energy depends on the fuel that is utilised

respiratory quotient (RQ) informs what type of fuel is utilized

9. Calculate the respiratory quotient

produced CO2
RQ = –––––––––––––
utilized O2

carbohydrates RQ = 1 C6H12O6 + 6 O2 ➔ 6 CO2 + 6 H2O

fats RQ = 0,7 C15H31COOH + 23 O2 ➔ 16 CO2 + 16 H2O
proteins RQ = 0,8

mean value on mixed diet (metabolic mixture) RQ = 0,82

8. Find the value of energy equivalent (tables)

Energy equivalent (EE)

– value derived from RQ – can be found in a table
- is the amount of energy liberated while using 1 l of oxygen
– i.e. it depends on the type of oxidized fuel (protein, fat, carbohydrate)
– oxidation of 1 mole of different nutrients requires different quantity of O2 and CO2
production is also different

9. BMR = O2 utilization STPD (24 h) . energy equivalent

Conclusion:

Compare the value of BMR estimated from tables and assessed by calorimetry.
Explain which value do you consider more precise.
Main components of daily energy expenditure

Thermogenesis (7 – 15%)
diet induced + adaptive

Physical activity 25 – 30% (or more)

Arousal

Basal metabolic rate Sleeping

(60%) metabolic
rate
Factors that increase the metabolic rate:
physical activity
- major effect on metabolic rate – causes majore increase

-lightphysical activity 1,7 x BMR

-medium physical activity 2,4 x BMR
-vigorous activity 3,3 x BMR (up to 6x BMR)

specific – dynamic action of food

= extra energy needed for digestion, absorption, storage of nutrients
- carbohydrates: increase of BMR by 5 –10 %, fat + 4%, effects last ~ 3-12 hrs
- proteins: increase of BMR by +30 %, lasts for ~18 hrs
- typical food (mixture of protein, fat, carbohydrates) increase by 6 % (~ 12 hrs)

temeprature of surrounding environment, climate

- temperature above or below 20-23 °C
body temperature

- increase of temperature by o 1°C – increase of metabolic

rate by ~ 10 % and vice versa

other factors – drugs, pregnancy, caffeine, etc.

 Thermogenesis
Factors that increase the metabolic rate
Physical
1. physical activity Thermogenesis activity
Physical
- major factor that increases the metabolic rate activity
- the increase depends on intensity of the
physical activity BMR BMR
(mild – moderate – vigorous)
Sedentary Physically active

Activity Increase of
BMR
Sitting activities (eating, computer games, studying) 1.4
Standing activities - light (washing dishes, cooking) 1.7
Walking slowly (a walk) 2.8
Walking at normal pace 3.2
Walking fast 3.4
Sport – light physical activity (bowling, table tennis. etc.) 3.3
Sport – medium physical activity (swimming, tennis, skating, aerobic, cycling) 5.5
Sport – heavy (football, athletics, jogging, hockey) 6.6

- strenous exercise – dramatically increases metabolic rate

- major factor contributing to the energy balance between E intake – E expenditure
PAL – Physical activity level
- indication of a person´s physical activity by a single number
-is the ratio between the total daily energy expenditure and 24-hour basal
metabolic rate
energy expenditure in 24 h
___________________________
PAL =
basal metabolic rate

-for adults, a PAL above 1.75 is considered to be compatible with a healthy lifestyle

PAL Daily Activities Lifestyle

< 1.4 Hospital patient with limited physical mobility Inactive
1.4 - 1.69 Little physical activity at work or in leisure time, e.g. office worker Sedentary
1.7 - 2.0 Moderate physical activity at work, e.g. in construction, or some jobs Moderately
in agriculture or the leisure industry. Active
Office workers who work-out e.g. in gym for an 1 h/ day.
2.0 - 2.4 Considerable physical activity at work, e.g. outdoor occupations, Very
fitness trainers who run alongside clients. Office workers who take at Active
least moderate exercise for two or more hours/day.
> 2.4 Professional athlete or sports person Extremely
Active
 Task. Calculation of the daily energy expenditure from tables

• metabolic rate during any activity (standing, washing dishes, running, etc.)
can be expressed as multiple of BMR
• the multiple (coefficient) indicates, how many times the BMR is
increased during particular activity

– e.g. fast walking c=3,4

– i.e. during fast walking the metabolism is increased 3,4x
– i.e. energy expenditure during fast walking is 3,4 x BMR

Task
• calculate your metabolic rate in the previous day (24 hours) by using
the tables

Principle
• 1-day metabolic rate is calculated as sum of energy expenditures
during individual daily activities (sleeping, waking up, breakfast, walking to
school, sitting on a lecture...)
• calculate your 24 h basal metabolic rate (BMR) by tables
• calculate your 1 minute BMR (BMR1min = BMR24 h : 1440)
• make a table into your notebook:
duration in
Activity from to coefficient BM1min x duration of activity x c
minutes

Sum 1440

• into the table write a list of all your activities during 24 - hours
(from the time you woke up until the same time next day, sum = 1440 min)
• write duration of all activities in minutes
from – to: ...............= minutes
• in tables find the appropriate activity and its coefficient (c)
– c indicates how many times the BMR increases during the activity
– if activity you have done is not included in the tables, find a similar one
 duration in
Activity from to coefficient BM1min x duration of activity x c
minutes

Sum 1440

• energy expenditure during each activity is calculated in the following way

duration of the activity in minutes x c x BMR1min

• energy expenditure per 24-h is calculated as sum of all partial energy

expenditures
• calculate your physical activity level (PAL)

PAL = EE per 24 h : BMR per 24 h

• Conclusion: evaluate your physical activity level during the previous day
(use the tables)