Resting metabolic rate and thermic effect of a meal in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in well-nourished Indian women

The resting metabolic rate (RMR) and thermic effect of a standard test meal (TEM) were measured twice each during the follicular and luteal phases (confirmed by plasma concentrations of progesterone and estradiol) of a single menstrual cycle, and once during the follicular phase of the following menstrual cycle, by using indirect calorimetry, in 13 well-nourished Indian women. There was a significant increase in the TEM (P < 0.05) (6.72 ± 1.57% vs 7.96 ± 1.48% of the energy content of the test meal for follicular and luteal phases, respectively) of 18.5% during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle but no significant difference in the RMR or postmeal total energy output (PMTEO). Dietary energy and macronutrient intakes in all subjects in both phases of the menstrual cycle were also similar. The RMR and the PMTEO were also similar when measured in the follicular phase of consecutive menstrual cycles.