CONCEPT OF BASAL METABOLIC RATE (BMR) IN UNANI SYSTEM OF MEDICINE: AN OVERVIEW

The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the amount of energy needed while resting in a temperate environment when the digestive system is inactive.Heat (energy) is the most essential thing for living beings.In Unani system of medicine this energy is defined as a Hararat-e- Ghariziyah (Innate heat) which is considered essential for Life. It is assumed that all body functions are maintained by different Capacities/Faculties of the body and these capacities are dependent on Innate heat. Heat in the body is one of the most important component because for every work heat is the basic requirement. One of the concepts of arrat Gharziyya (innate heat) is there which describes that for a cell to complete its life Rabat Gharziyya and arrat Gharziyya is necessary.Production of heat in the body is one of the most important and very necessary tasks because for every work heat is the basic requirement Any deviation in this heat from its normalcy and moderation,the body functions get disturbed and extreme deviation of Innate heat from normalcy is thought to be cause of death