Monday, August 31, 2015

[ 10 yoga poses to keep diabetes under control!.]



With the rising number of people being diagnosed with diabetes, it is no wonder scientists are looking for newer methods to treat the disease. One of the cornerstones of controlling one’s blood sugar is regular and holistic exercise. And yoga is one such ancient measure to effectively control your blood sugar levels. But before we discuss in detail about various yoga poses to keep diabetes under control, here’s what you should know about the significance of exercise for diabetics.
Exercise — The key to stay healthy
Diabetes is caused when your blood cells do not respond to insulin produced in the body. When you follow a regular exercise regimen, your body starts responding to insulin, helping to reduce your blood glucose. Exercise also helps improve blood circulation in your body, particularly in the arms and legs, where diabetic patients most commonly encounter problems. It is an excellent way to fight stress, both at the body and mind level, which in turn helps keep one’s glucose levels down. Here are top 8 reasons why you should start exercising today.
How Yoga helps to fight diabetes.
Regular yoga practice can help reduce the level of sugar in the blood, along with lowering blood pressure, keeping your weight in check, reducing the severity of the symptoms and slowing the rate of progression of the disease. It also lessens the possibility of further complications.
Stress is one of the major reasons for diabetes. It increases the secretion of glucagon (a hormone responsible for increasing blood glucose levels) in the body. The consistent practice of Yoga, Aasanas, Pranayam and a few minutes of Meditation can help reduce stress in the mind and protect the body from its adverse effects. This, in turn, reducing the amount of glucagon and improve the action of insulin. The practice of yoga is also a proven to lose weight and slow the process of fat accumulation. Surya namaskar and kapal bhati pranayama are some of the most effective yoga poses that aid weight loss. Since obesity is a major contributing factor for diabetes, doing yoga to keep your weight in check is the key. Here’s how to practise Surya Namaskar the right way.
The 10 Asanas of Yoga

1 - Pranayam.
Breathing in deeply and breathing out helps oxygenate your blood, and improves circulation. It also calms the mind and gives your rattled nerves some much needed rest. Here are few more health benefits of pranayama you should be aware of.
Steps to do this pose:
Sit on a yoga mat on the floor. Fold your legs in either padmasana or sit cross legged.
Now straighten your back, keep your chin parallel to the floor, place your hands on your knees with your palms facing upwards and close your eyes.
Breath in deep and hold your breath for five counts. Exhale slowly. Repeat this process at least ten times.
Once you are done, rub your palms together till they are warm, and place them on your eyes. Now slowly open them and smile.


2 Setubandhasana.
This pose not only helps keep one’s blood pressure in control it also helps to relax the mind, improves digestion, relieves the symptoms of Menopause in women and stretches the neck and spine. Steps to do this pose:
Lie flat on your yoga mat, with your feet flat on the floor.Setubandhasana.
Now exhale and push up, and off the floor with your feet.
Raise your body up such that your neck and head are flat on the mat and the rest of your body is in the air.
You can use your hands to push down for added support.
If you are flexible you can even clasp your fingers just below your raised back for that added stretch.
The key here is to not overexert or hurt yourself while doing this pose.
Tip: Avoid doing this pose if you have a neck or back injury.

3 Balasana.
Known quite aptly as the child’s pose this is a great stress buster. It gently stretches the hips, thighs and ankles, calms the mind and helps relieve stress and fatigue. It is also a great remedy for that lower back pain you might have from long hours of sitting.
Steps to do the pose:Child's pose.
Sit on the floor with your weight on your knees. Now flatten your feet onto the floor and sit on your heels.
Spread your thighs apart a little. Exhale and bend forward from your waist.
Let your stomach rest on your thighs and extend your back. Now stretch out your arms in front of you to elongate the back.
You can also rest your forehead on the floor. This may require flexibility, so don’t push your body beyond its limit. You will get better with time.
This is a resting pose so you should ideally breath at a normal pace. You can stay in this pose for as long as three minutes or as little as five counts.
Tip: If you are pregnant, have a knee injury or have diarrhoea do not do this pose.

4 Vajrasana.
This is a simple pose that is great to relax the mind, improve digestion and massages the kanda. According to Ayurvedic principles, kanda is a spot about 12 inches above the anus that is the point of convergence for over 72,000 nerves.
Steps to do this pose:
All you need to do is place a yoga mat on the floor.
Kneel on the mat, and let the top surface of your feet touch the mat, such that your heels are pointing upwards.
Now gently place your buttocks on your heels. It is important to note that your heels are on either side of your anus.
Now place both your palms on your knees, facing downwards. Close your eye and breath in deeply at a steady rate.

5 Sarvangasana.
This pose is essentially known for its ability to regulate the working of the thyroid glands. These glands are responsible for the proper functioning of the entire body including the digestive, nervous, reproductive system, regulating metabolism and respiratory system. Apart from that, it nourishes the spine with a good supply of blood and oxygen, helping you beat nervous system disorders, and improving your all round health. Read more about how sarvangasana works.
Steps to do this pose:
Lie on a yoga mat with your legs extending outwards.
Now slowly raise your legs either by first folding them at the knees or by lifting them straight.
Place your palms along your back and hips to support it, and raise your body while pointing your toes to the ceiling.
All your weight should be on your shoulders. Make sure you breathe slowly and lock your chin into your chest.
Your elbows should be touching the floor and your back should be supported. Hold this pose for as long as you are comfortable.
To return to the lying position, slowly lower your body. Do not fall back to the lying position.
Tips: Do not do this pose if you suffer from any neck or spinal injuries. If you do have high blood pressure perform this exercise only under supervision.

6 Halasana.
This pose is great for those who sit for long hours and tend to have bad posture. It stimulates the thyroid glands, parathyroid glands, lungs and abdominal organs, therefore helping the blood rush to your head and face, improves digestion and keeps the hormonal levels in check. Read more about how halasana can beat bad posture and backache.
Step to do this pose:
Lie flat on the floor with your feet flat stretched out. Place your arms by your side and bend your knees so that your feet are flat on the floor.
Now, slowly raise your legs from the hips. Place your hands on your hips as you raise them and use your hands as support.
Now slowly bend your legs at the hips and try to touch the floor behind your head with your toes and straighten your hands so they are flat on the floor.
Breath out while going up. To return to the lying position gently roll your back onto the floor, breath in while you come down. Do not drop down suddenly.
Tip to keep in mind: If you suffer from liver or spleen disorders, hypertension, have diarrhoea are menstruating or have suffered a neck injury, avoid doing this pose.

7 Dhanurasana.
This pose is great to strengthen your back and spine, stimulate the reproductive organs, beats stress and fatigue, relieves menstrual pain and constipation.
Steps to do this pose:
Lie on your stomach with your feet hip-width apart and your arms by the side of your body.
Fold your knees and hold your ankles. Breathing in, lift your chest off the ground and pull your legs up and back.
Look straight ahead with a smile on your face. Keep the pose stable while paying attention to your breath.
Continue to take long deep breaths as you relax in this pose. But don’t get carried away!
Do not overdo the stretch. After 15 -20 seconds, as you exhale, gently bring your legs and chest to the ground. Release the ankles and relax.
Tip: Do not practice this pose if you have high or low blood pressure, hernia, neck injury, pain in the lower back, headache, migraine or a recent abdominal surgery or if you are pregnant.

8 Chakrasana.
This pose is great to stretch the spine and relax the muscles of the back. Moreover it helps relax the mind and make it stress free. Steps to do this pose:
To do this pose start by lying on your back with your arms horizontally stretched out in line you’re your shoulders.
Bend your knees and bring your feet close to your hips. The soles of your feet should be fully on the ground.
Swing your knees to the left until the left knee touches the ground (the right knee and thigh should rest on the left knee and thigh).
Simultaneously, turn your head to the right and look at your right palm. Make sure your shoulder blades touch the ground.
While the body is twisted, there is a tendency for one of your shoulder blades to lift off the ground. You must work against this tendency for the stretch to be effective.
Feel the stretch in the thighs, groin, arms, neck, stomach and back as you hold the pose. With each exhalation, relax deeper into the pose.
After a few minutes, you may slowly turn your head back to the centre, and straighten the torso and legs. Mirror the pose on the other side.
Tip: Avoid this posture if you have any spinal injuries.


9 Paschimotasana.
This is a forward bending pose that helps the blood to flow to the face. Apart from that, it helps the stomach function better, strengthens the thigh muscles and relaxes the back and arms.
Steps to do this pose:
Sit with your legs stretched out on the floor. Next hold the big toe of your feet with your index finger and thumb.
Now, exhale and slowly bend forward and try to touch your forehead to your knees.
The key is that your elbows should touch the floor.Do not breath in.
Stay in this position for five counts and inhale as you rise back to the sitting position.
Tips to keep in mind: If you have any type of back pain or complaints with your spine, do not do this pose. Moreover, be easy on yourself, you might not be able to touch your knees with your forehead. Know that if you keep at it you will regain your flexibility and be able to do the pose properly.

10 Ardha Matsyendrasana.
This asana is specifically designed to increase the capacity of your lungs so it can inhale and hold more oxygen. It also loosens up the spine and relieves backaches and discomfort in the back.
Steps to do this pose:
Sit up with your legs stretched out straight in front of you, keeping your feet together and your spine erect.
Bend your left leg and place the heal of your left foot beside your right hip (optionally, you can keep your left leg straight).
Now, Take the right leg over your left knee and place your left hand on your right knee and your right hand behind you.
Twist at the waist, shoulders and neck in this sequence to the right and look over the right shoulder. Hold and continue with gentle long breaths in and out.
To come back to the starting position, continue breathing out, release the right hand first (the hand behind you), release the waist, then chest,lastly the neck and sit up relaxed yet straight.
Repeat to the other side. Breathing out, come back to the front and relax.
Tip: If you have a back injury, do this pose only in the presence of a certified trainer.
Apart from this, a few minutes of regular meditation practice also acts as an excellent stress-buster for the mind and body. Interestingly, while stress is the major cause of diabetes, the condition in turn results in patients getting highly stressed about it, which further aggravates the problem. It has also been observed that most diabetics lose self-confidence and end up brooding over their condition. This is where meditation can help – restoring their confidence levels so that they gain the strength to fight the condition and live well. Craving for sweets is a common occurrence in diabetes. Regular practice of meditation can help drop such cravings to a large extent. If you’re a beginner, refer to this 10 step meditation guide. With inputs from: www.artofliving.org
Picture source:
omegabc.com
thriveinside.net
a2zyoga.com
eckee.com

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Body Fat % - Yours?

What is the ideal body fat percentage?
Men and women both require a different body fat percentage. Also, the 
ideal body fat percentage changes with age.
For Women
Age 20-40 years–Ideally,the body fat percentage should be between 21-33% 
Anything over 39% indicates obesity.
Age 41-60 years-The ideal range for this age-group is-23-35% 
Anything above 40% could indicate obesity.
Age 61-79 years-People in this age-group should have 25-37% body fat. 
Above 42% of body fat is a cause for concern as it indicates obesity.
For Men.
Age 20-40 years-The healthy range for men in this group is 8-19%. 
Anything above 25% indicates obesity.
Age 41-60years-Ideally,the body fat percentage for men should be 11-22%. 
If it is above 27% then it is a cause for concern.
Age 61-79 years-Men in this age-group should have 13-25% body fat. 
If the body fat percentage is above 30% it indicates obesity and is not 
at all healthy.
How do you calculate your Body Fat. The simplest way to calculate body fat is using callipers. However, calculating your body fat accurately can be more tedious and expensive.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

[ Zodiac sign. You'll also find some tips to help you make wiser choices in the future.]


1 - Aquarius.
Guided by philanthropic and humanitarian efforts, Aquarians like to think about others — even when they are eating. So, they’ll prefer to eat fruits and vegetables over meat and dairy products. Also, they like to choose ingredients that are locally-produced.An Aquarian should not eat yeasty foods. Avoiding late-night eating is also suggested.


2 - Capricorn.
Capricorns love a nice home-cooked meal. Traditionalists by nature, they like to include rice, meat, vegetables and fruits in their diet. Also, they love their wines.
Make sure you keep your salt intake in control.

3 - Sagittarius.

Sanitarians love exotic food. Unafraid to introduce their taste buds to unique flavors, they will enjoy everything unique, from Moroccan fare to an African meal. In your day-to-day meals, include cereals, root vegetables and fruits.

4 - Libra.

The rational Libra likes to keep it balanced throughout the day. A protein-rich breakfast, followed by lunch consisting of meat and veggies, and light dinner of soup is enjoyed by them. Librans love how the food is presented. Try to control your appetite for chocolates. If you are craving sweet, try fruit salad.

5 - Virgo.

The methodical Virgos are fussy eaters. Very conscious about what to eat, they usually are able to stick to diets. They have a tendency to eat whole grains, cereals, organic produce, greens and fruits. Their sensitive stomachs rarely can digest heavy, fatty foods. Which is why, it is best to avoid them. High on aesthetic sensibility.

6 - Leo.

The regal and majestic Leos love a lavish spread. From curries to caviar, stir-fried vegetables and a sparkling glass of red wine, a Leo likes to have it all.Prone to heart diseases, Leos must avoid fatty components in their diet. Use olive oil while making your meals. Opt for dark chocolate over regular ones,too.


7 - Cancer.

A traditionalist and homebody by nature, Cancerians enjoy comfort food the most. A bowl of onion soup, baked potatoes or cheesy pasta always rank high in their priority list.
Go easy on dairy products as well as greasy, fatty foods. Sip on fresh ginger tea to help with your digestion.

8 - Gemini.

Witty Geminis love a good conversation on a dinner table, rather than the food. Nibble on small-sized food items such as nuts, carrots, cranberries and plums, which are healthy as well as easy to munch on. Geminis should avoid large quantities of caffeinated drinks and alcoholic beverages.

9 - Taurus.

Those born under this sign love to indulge in good food and wine. The true gastronomes that they are, rich and savory foods such as succulent steak accompanied by a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon will be a true delight for them.Taureans usually tend to go overboard with desserts. Instead of a decadent chocolate cake, opt for a bowlful of fresh fruits

10 - Scorpio

Those born under this sign love to indulge in good food and wine. The true gastronomes that they are, rich and savory foods such as succulent steak accompanied by a glass of Cabernet  Sauvignon will be a true delight for them. Taurus usually tend to go overboard with desserts. Instead of a decadent chocolate cake, opt for a bowlful of fresh fruits.
Their sensitive stomachs rarely can digest heavy, fatty foods. Which is why, it is best to avoid them.

11 - Aries

The go-getters of the zodiac always like to be on the move. Single entrĂ©e meals should be avoided; a multi-course meal is better suited. And go slow on the booze! Aries - Fiery Aries loves to indulge in food that’s hot with a spicy tinge. Their daily diet usually include ingredients such as chilies, garlic and barbecue sauce..Their sensitive stomachs rarely can digest heavy, fatty foods. Which is why, it is best to avoid them.

12 - Pisces

The dual-natured Piscean is not a great lover of food. They often pay more attention to how it looks rather than how it tastes. However, they do have a liking for seafood served with wine.Pisceans love their drink. In fact, they tend to overindulge almost always. It’s best advised to keep a check on it.




Lets see what else we got

RICE is the main item of south Indian Folks mostly Vegetarians.
Rice is mixed with various side dishes like curry and other types of curry preparations.
Brown rice and white rice have similar amounts of calories and carbohydrates. The main differences between the two forms of rice lie in processing and nutritional content.

When only the outermost layer of a grain of rice (the husk) is removed, brown rice is produced. To produce white rice, the next layers underneath the husk (the bran layer and the germ) are removed, leaving mostly the starchy endosperm.

Several vitamins and dietary minerals are lost in this removal and the subsequent polishing process. A part of these missing nutrients, such as vitamin B1, vitamin B3, and iron are sometimes added back into the white rice making it "enriched", as food suppliers in the US are required to do by the Food and Drug Administration.

One mineral not added back into white rice is magnesium; one cup (195 g) of cooked long grain brown rice contains 84 mg of magnesium while one cup of white rice contains 19 mg.

When the bran layer is removed to make white rice, the oil in the bran is also removed.

Among other key sources of nutrition lost are dietary fiber and small amounts of fatty acids.
Cooking of Brown Rice.
The cooking time is more in case of Brown Rice so the women folk like to finish cooking quickly and save on fuel also.Smart South Indians.They mede good what was lost in white Rice by adding many other good Vitamin Rich Vegetables.
Preparation.
A nutritionally superior method of preparation using GABA rice or germinated brown rice (GBR) (also known as Hatsuga genmai in Japan), developed during the International Year of Rice, may be used.This involves soaking washed brown rice for 20 hours in warm water (34 °C or 93 °F) prior to cooking it. This process stimulates germination, which activates various enzymes in the rice. By this method, it is possible to obtain a more complete amino acid profile, including GABA.

Monday, August 24, 2015

[ Health - Constipation the most commonest problem of constipation.]

THE herbal remedy for constipation is one Tablet of VIRECHANE 500mg ( Made by SRI SRI's THE ART OF LIVING FOUNDATION 20 minutes after Dinner daily if it is found perfect for you other wise you must see a doctor
Constipation is Flatulence,(distance of abdomen due to obstruction to passage of urine and stools.(Colic)(Haemorrhoids)(Respiratory disorder)(Cough)(Hiccup)(Oedema)(Urinary disorder)(Abdominal lump)((Jaundice)(Hoarseness of voice)(Worms)(Oedema)(Skin disorders)

Sunday, August 16, 2015

BMI.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator can be used to calculate your BMI va
lue and weight status while taking your age into consideration. Use the 
"metric units" tab if you are more comfortable with the international 
standard metric units. The referenced weight range and calculation formula 
is listed below.

Reference
Your BMI is a measurement of your body weight based on your height and
weight. Although your BMI does not actually "measure" your percentage of 
body fat, it is a useful tool to estimate a healthy body weight based on 
your height. Due to its ease of measurement and calculation, it is the most 
widely used diagnostic indicator to identify a person's optimal weight 
depending on his height. Your BMI "number" will inform you if you are 
underweight, of normal weight, overweight, or obese. However, due to 
the wide variety of body types, the distribution of muscle and bone mass, 
etc., it is not appropriate to use this as the only or final indication for 
diagnosis.


Body Mass Index Formula.
The formulas to calculate BMI based on two of the most commonly used unit systems: BMI = weight(kg)/height2(m2) (Metric Units) BMI = 703·weight(lb)/height2(in2) (U.S. Units)

Body Fat

Body Fat Calculator.
The Body Fat Calculator can be used to estimate your total body fat based on your size. Use the "metric units" tab if you are more comfortable with the international standard metric units. To get the best results, measure to the nearest 1/4 inch (0.5cm). This calculation is based on the U.S. Navy method. US Units Metric Units Other Units Gender male female Height feet inches Neck feet inches Waist feet inches Hip feet inches Calculate Result body fat = 15.3% Related BMI Calculator | Calorie Calculator | Ideal Weight Calculator Reference* Description Women Men Recommended amount 20-25% 8-14% Adults in United States, average 22-25% 15-19% Obese 30+% 25+% According to Health Check Systems, The American Council on Exercise has categorized the range of body fat percentages as follows: Description Women Men Essential fat 12-15% 2-5% Athletes 16-20% 6-13% Fitness 21-24% 14-17% Acceptable 25-31% 18-25% Obese 32%+ 25%+ * from wikipedia.org What Is Body Fat? The scientific name for body fat is "adipose tissue." Adipose tissue serves a number of important functions. It's primary purpose is to store lipids from which the body creates energy. It also secretes a number of important hormones. Having an excess of body fat leads to the condition of obesity, and that can be unhealthy. Some people are more genetically predisposed to excess body fat, and others build it up from lack of exercise and bad diets. But body fat stored in the abdominal region can be reduced by diet and exercise. Women and men store body fat differently – after the age of 40, or after menopause in the case of women, reduced sexual hormones can lead to excess body fat around the stomach in men, and around the buttocks and thighs in women. Body Fat and Being Overweight Being overweight does not necessarily mean that you have an excess of body fat. Powerfully muscled people often are overweight. A certain amount of body fat is also necessary to staying alive. Human beings also have a specialized kind of body fat called "Brown fat." It is located mainly around the neck and large blood vessels of the thorax, and it serves to generate heat to help keep us warm in severe cold. What's Wrong with Excess Body Fat? As we've said, it's appropriate to think of fat as an important producer of essential hormones. Our bodies' functions are controlled by hormones, and so excess or lack of critical ones can seriously affect our health. Scientists have learned that excess body fat, especially abdominal fat, disrupts the normal balance and functioning of these hormones. It is known that body fat pumps out immune system chemicals called cytokines that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. These biochemicals are thought to make cells less sensitive to insulin, blood pressure, and blood clotting. Another reason that abdominal body fat in excess can be so harmful is that it is located near the portal vein, which carries blood from the intestinal area to the liver. Substances released by body fat, including free fatty acids, enter the portal vein and travel to the liver, where they can impede its functioning. Abdominal body fat is directly linked with higher total cholesterol and specifically with the so-called "bad" cholesterol that can clog arteries and lead to a heart attack. Insulin resistance means that your body's muscle and liver cells don't respond adequately to normal levels of insulin. Insulin is responsible for carrying glucose into the body's cells. When there is insulin resistance, glucose levels in the blood rise, heightening the risk for diabetes. Measuring Body Fat Specific techniques must be used to measure body fat. The U.S. Navy has come up with a straightforward and useful method – equations developed by Drs. Hodgdon and Beckett at the Naval Health Research Center take into account differences in the way men and women accumulate fat, thus different measurements are required. Measure the circumference of your waist at a horizontal level around the navel for men, and at the level with the least width for women. Don't pull your stomach in. Measure the circumference of the neck. Start below the larynx with the tape sloping slightly downward to the front. Avoid flaring your neck out. For women only: Measure the circumference of the hips, at the largest horizontal measure. Body fat calculator formula for man: 495/(1.0324-0.19077(LOG(waist-neck))+0.15456(LOG(height)))-450 body fat calculator formula for woman: 495/(1.29579-0.35004(LOG(waist+hip-neck))+0.22100(LOG(height)))-450 Now plug the numbers into our calculator. But please understand that this is only an estimate – precise calculation of body fat requires instruments like bioelectric impedance analysis or hydrostatic density testing. You'll need to see a doctor if you want to be tested with absolute precision. Controlling Body Fat There are thousands of proposals on the Web to help control or reduce body fat. But complicated gimmicks aren't needed: Good old-fashioned changes in diet and the use of the right kind of exercise will do the trick. The first thing is to avoid "intensive programs." To lose body fat, and keep it off, you need to make long-term lifestyle changes. Find an exercise regime that you can work at regularly. Reduce calories in your diet gradually and carefully, so that you maintain the changes. Now limit the amount of carbohydrates you consume. Again, don't make any radical changes like giving up all carbs. Just cut down on starchy foods like potatoes, rice, pasta and bread. Too much of these provide your body with more than it needs for energy and energy storage, and the remaining part will be stored as fat. Cut back on them, replacing them when possible or limiting amounts when not. Cut back on sweets too. Excess sugar consumed will be stored as fat. Satisfy your sweet tooth occasionally, but try to replace cakes and candy with fresh fruit. Avoid soda and other high-sugar soft drinks, replacing it with fruit juice if possible. Intensive exercise for short periods is the best way to burn fat. That means running on the treadmill, or rowing, or working out with weights. Specific exercises to reduce your girth, like sit-ups, may have no effect at all if not combined with an intense workout. Change your diet, do some exercise, and you will feel better and successfully reduce body fat.

Friday, August 7, 2015

BMR

BMR Calculation for Women: 655 + (4.35 × weight in pounds) + (4.7 × height in inches) – (4.7 × age in years)

BMR Calculation for Men: 66 + (6.23 × weight in pounds) + (12.7 × height in inches) – (6.76 × age in years)

Factoring Exercise into the BMR Equation
Amount of Exercise - Daily Calories Needed
Little to no exercise.BMR x 1.2
Light exercise (1 to 3 days per week) BMR x1.375
Moderate exercise (3 to 5 days per week) BMR x 1.55
Heavy exercise (6 to 7 days per week) BMR x 1.725
Very heavy exercise (intense workouts twice per day)BMR x 1.9
Reference
The Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the amount of energy you need while resting in a temperate environment during the post-absorptive state, or when your digestive system is inactive. In such a state, your energy will be used only to maintain your vital organs, which include the heart, lungs, kidneys, the nervous system, intestines, liver, lungs, sex organs, muscles, and skin. The BMR decreases with age and increases with muscle mass.

The BMR is measured under very restrictive circumstances while awake. An accurate BMR measurement requires that a person's sympathetic nervous system is inactive, which means the person must be completely rested. Basal metabolism is usually the largest component of a person's total caloric needs. The daily calorie needs is the BMR value multiplied by a factor with a value between 1.2 and 1.9, depending on the activity level.

In most situations, the BMR is estimated with equations summarized from statistical data. The most commonly used one is the Mifflin - St Jeor equation:

BMR = 10 * weight(kg) + 6.25 * height(cm) - 5 * age(y) + 5         (man)
BMR = 10 * weight(kg) + 6.25 * height(cm) - 5 * age(y) - 161     (woman)
The Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the amount of energy you need while resting in a temperate environment during the post-absorptive state, or when your digestive system is inactive. In such a state, your energy will be used only to maintain your vital organs, which include the heart, lungs, kidneys, the nervous system, intestines, liver, lungs, sex organs, muscles, and skin. The BMR decreases with age and increases with muscle mass.

The BMR is measured under very restrictive circumstances while awake. An accurate BMR measurement requires that a person's sympathetic nervous system is inactive, which means the person must be completely rested. Basal metabolism is usually the largest component of a person's total caloric needs. The daily calorie needs is the BMR value multiplied by a factor with a value between 1.2 and 1.9, depending on the activity level.

In most situations, the BMR is estimated with equations summarized from statistical data. The most commonly used one is the Mifflin - St Jeor equation:

BMR = 10 * weight(kg) + 6.25 * height(cm) - 5 * age(y) + 5         (man)
BMR = 10 * weight(kg) + 6.25 * height(cm) - 5 * age(y) - 161     (woman)