Elwell, Walter A. Entry for 'Will'. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. . 1997.
see metabolic rate. basal metabolism. the minimal energy expended for the maintenance of respiration, circulation, peristalsis, muscle tonus, body temperature, glandular activity and the other vegetative functions of the body. See also metabolic rate.
Your basal metabolic rate accounts for about 70 percent of the calories you burn every day. In addition to your basal metabolic rate, two other factors determine how many calories your body burns each day: 1  Food processing (thermogenesis).2  Digesting, absorbing, transporting and storing the food you consume also takes calories.n addition to your basal metabolic rate, two other factors determine how many calories your body burns each day: 1  Food processing (thermogenesis). 2  Physical activity.