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What is Lean Body Mass?

Matthew F.
Matthew F.

Lean body mass is a hypothetical concept used to explain a person’s body weight void of any fat tissue. This concept essentially refers to the weight of a human body were the body only to consist of muscles, organs, and bones. There are multiple ways to calculate this, and none of them are 100% accurate. For example, there is no uniform size or weight for any organ, which makes the equations not entirely accurate, although these calculations still serve an important purpose in the the worlds of medicine and nutrition.

The concept basically has two purposes. The first is to help mfedical professionals when prescribing medications to patients. Since a person with a higher lean body mass has more tissue throughout his or her body, higher dosages of drugs or drugs with higher potency can be prescribed. Medical professionals would have to consider, for safety reasons, prescribing a smaller dosage of medications or medications to other patients.

Jump rope exercises are especially useful for burning fat and improving cardiovascular health.
Jump rope exercises are especially useful for burning fat and improving cardiovascular health.

A much more widely used purpose for the concept is in the world of nutrition. Many people try to target their weight to be congruent with their ideal lean body mass, since that is their body weight void of any fat. It is important to note though that not only is it impossible to have no fat tissue at all, it is also dangerous to get too close to achieving that weight because every human body needs fat to survive. The concept, therefore, is used basically to help people target a healthier weight through diet and exercise in terms of fat reduction.

High-protein food like fish is a staple when focusing of lean body mass.
High-protein food like fish is a staple when focusing of lean body mass.

There are a few ways that a person can achieve a healthier weight. The first is through an workout regimen that consists of cardiovascular exercise, which elevates the heart rate for an extended period of time so that the body uses its fat storage for energy. Running, cycling, swimming, and jumping rope, as well as other sports, are all good examples of cardiovascular activity. A person can also eat a diet that is high in protein and low in fat. Lean meats, such as chicken and fish, are staples when focusing on lean body mass, as are plants with high protein concentration, such as beans.

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    • Jump rope exercises are especially useful for burning fat and improving cardiovascular health.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      Jump rope exercises are especially useful for burning fat and improving cardiovascular health.
    • High-protein food like fish is a staple when focusing of lean body mass.
      By: karelnoppe
      High-protein food like fish is a staple when focusing of lean body mass.
    • Lean meats and dairy products are excellent sources of the high-quality protein that the body requires to function properly.
      By: MSPhotographic
      Lean meats and dairy products are excellent sources of the high-quality protein that the body requires to function properly.
    • Cardiovascular exercise can help the body burn off fat storage for energy and lose weight.
      By: ohmega1982
      Cardiovascular exercise can help the body burn off fat storage for energy and lose weight.
    • Wrestlers must keep their bodies lean and maintain minimal levels of body fat.
      By: Earl Robbins
      Wrestlers must keep their bodies lean and maintain minimal levels of body fat.
    • Lean body mass is a theoretical concept of referring to a person's weight if the body were only made of muscles, organs, and bones.
      By: CURAphotography
      Lean body mass is a theoretical concept of referring to a person's weight if the body were only made of muscles, organs, and bones.
    • Lean body mass should be considered when prescribing medications.
      By: iceteastock
      Lean body mass should be considered when prescribing medications.
    • Lean body mass is what someone would hypothetically weigh if their body was devoid of fat and consisted only of muscle, organs, and bone.
      By: tsuneomp
      Lean body mass is what someone would hypothetically weigh if their body was devoid of fat and consisted only of muscle, organs, and bone.