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BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)
Rating
BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is the number of calories the body burns in a state of complete rest over a day — simply to maintain vital functions: breathing, heart function, body temperature.
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Calorie needs (BMR + TDEE)
In detail
BMR depends primarily on weight, height, age, and sex, as well as on muscle mass — muscles are metabolically more active than fat, so people with greater muscle mass usually have a higher BMR. The most common modern formula for estimation is Mifflin-St Jeor (1990), which is more accurate than the outdated Harris-Benedict formula.
How to use it
BMR is not your daily calorie norm, only its base; actual need (TDEE) also includes activity and training — don't try to eat at BMR level if you're training actively.