Metabolic Terminology Glossary
Demystifying human metabolism, caloric equations, body composition metrics, and macronutrient partitioning with formal scientific definitions and worked mathematical examples.
Adaptive Thermogenesis
The physiological decline in resting and non-resting energy expenditure beyond what is predicted by the loss of body mass.
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
The baseline caloric expenditure required to sustain vital organ life at complete physical and emotional rest.
Body Fat Percentage (BF%)
The proportion of total body weight composed of adipose tissue relative to overall mass.
Calorie Deficit
A state where total energy expenditure exceeds total energy intake, prompting the mobilization of endogenous fuel reserves.
Cunningham Equation
A clinical formula tailored for high-performing collegiate and Olympic athletes based purely on Fat-Free Mass.
Devine Formula (Ideal Body Weight)
The standard medical equation used in clinical pharmacokinetics to calculate Ideal Body Weight from height.
Diet Break & Refeeds (MATADOR)
A planned 1 to 2-week period at maintenance calories during an extended weight loss phase to mitigate metabolic adaptation.
Energy Flux (G-Flux)
The rate of energy turnover through a biological system, measured by the volume of calories consumed versus expended.
Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (EAT)
The caloric expenditure produced during purposeful sports, cardio sessions, and structured resistance training.
Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI)
An objective measure of muscularity that scales lean body mass to height, independent of body fat.
Gluconeogenesis (GNG)
The hepatic metabolic pathway that synthesizes glucose from non-carbohydrate carbon substrates like amino acids, lactate, and glycerol.
Holt Satiety Index
A validated ranking of foods based on their capacity to satisfy hunger per 240-calorie portion relative to white bread.
Katch-McArdle Formula
The gold-standard metabolic equation that calculates BMR directly from Lean Body Mass, ignoring biological sex and age.
Lean Body Mass (LBM)
The total mass of your body minus all extractable storage adipose tissue.
Macronutrient Distribution
The relative caloric distribution of protein, carbohydrate, and fat consumed within a daily diet.
Mifflin-St Jeor Equation
The validated clinical formula developed in 1990 used to predict Basal Metabolic Rate from height, weight, age, and sex.
Muscle Protein Synthesis (MPS)
The biochemical process of incorporating dietary amino acids into bound skeletal muscle contractile tissue.
Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT)
The energy expended for all spontaneous physical motion that is not structured athletic exercise or sleep.
Protein Leverage Hypothesis (PLH)
The evolutionary theory stating that animals prioritize protein intake and will overconsume energy until protein requirements are satisfied.
Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER / RQ)
The ratio between the volume of carbon dioxide produced and oxygen consumed, indicating the primary fuel substrate being oxidized.
Reverse Dieting Protocol
The strategic weekly escalation of caloric intake following a prolonged diet to restore metabolic rate without fat gain.
Revised Harris-Benedict Formula
The 1984 Roza and Shizgal recalibration of the classical 1919 biometric resting energy expenditure standard.
The 3,500 Calorie Rule (Wishnofsky Law)
The classical rule of thumb stating that a cumulative 3,500 kcal deficit produces one pound of body fat loss.
Thermic Effect of Food (TEF)
The metabolic energy cost required to chew, digest, absorb, transport, and metabolize ingested nutrients.
Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)
The total cumulative number of kilocalories your body burns over a 24-hour cycle across all metabolic components.
Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT)
Deep abdominal fat stored within the peritoneal cavity surrounding internal organs like the liver, pancreas, and intestines.
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