Our bodies are amazing things, truly. It’s probably safe to assume that most of us never think about our metabolism has having an age. A metabolism is simply the chemical reaction that turns our food into energy. Think of how a car burns fuel to make it move, it’s the same process. So how can a metabolism have an age?
Your metabolism’s age, or your basal metabolic rate (BMR), is a comparison of how many calories your metabolism burns at rest compared to others your exact chronological age. You burn a significant amount of your calories at rest, or without any extra physical activity. Simply bodily functions like breathing or pumping blood burn calories, which are measured by your BMR. Comparing that BMR to your peers can help determine if your metabolism is working healthy for your age group.
It’s important to know that BMR is not an overall depiction of your health. BMR is affected by a lot of things, like sex, height, weight, and age. However, it may not factor your body’s unique composition, so take that into account. Simply knowing your metabolic age can help you assess your current health needs and goals.
Why is BMR Important?
There isn’t a unified way to determine a person’s BMR, but there are several equations that look at gender, body fat percentage, and age to help gauge your general BMR. Knowing how your metabolism works will help you understand what health concerns you might be at risk for. As we age, our metabolisms are more likely to be slower than other demographics, so we run the risk of weight gain and cardiovascular issues. Simple mistakes can lead to a slow metabolism, for example, over consumption of sugary beverages can slow the metabolism and lead to a higher risk of diabetes.
Knowing where your metabolism’s age can help your whole chronological age group live healthier lives. A younger metabolism is a sign of a healthier lifestyle. Helping your peers strengthen and accelerate their metabolisms, by avoiding sugar or sleeping better, can help turn back the clock. Get in touch with your metabolism, with your own body, to get a sense of what you need to be healthier as an older adult.
The Council for Retirement Security studies the facts about sugar and its harmful effects on our bodies and metabolisms. For more sugar updates follow the Council on Twitter and Facebook.