| The basal metabolic rate (BMR)
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| The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the total heat energy released from the body at rest
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| Virtually all of the reactions in the body are exothermic, and the sum of all reactions at rest is called the basal metabolic rate (BMR), which can be measured by two basic methods: direct calorimetry where the total heat liberated by an animal is measured over time and indirect calorimetry, which involves calculating BMR from the quantity of oxygen consumed, which is directly related to the BMR. Adult men (70 kg) have a BMR of about 7500 kJ (1800kcal) and women about 5400 kJ (1300kcal) per day. Women have a lower BMR because of an increased fat content, and the BMR typically varies by a factor of two between individuals. Heat from mitochondria accounts for the largest portion of the BMR. Elevated thyroid hormones increase the BMR.
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