Resting metabolic rate
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Dayana Davidis, M.D. [2]
Overview
A metabolic rate is the number of calories needed to provide fuel for ventilation, blood circulation, temperature regulation, digestion of ingested foods, absorption of ingested foods and for daily activities. It is the minimum amount of energy required to keep the body functioning properly.
Resting metabolic rate or RMR, also called resting energy expenditure or REE, is the twenty four hour estimation of the metabolic rate of an individual after three or four hours of fasting to ensure that the digestive system is inactive.