Metabolic Testing

What is RMR?
Resting metabolic rate (RMR) represents the calories the body burns to maintain vital body functions (heart rate, brain function, breathing). In simple terms, it is the number of calories a person would burn if they were awake, but at rest all day. RMR can represent up to 75% of a person's total metabolism if they are inactive or lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Why is it necessary to measure RMR?
Since RMR accounts for up to 75% of the total calories we need each day, it's a crucial piece of information to appropriately establish daily calorie needs, whether we're trying to lose or maintain weight. Most healthcare and fitness professionals recognize that metabolism is impacted by a variety of characteristics such as fever, illness, high fitness, obesity, active weight loss, etc. When managing your nutritional needs and caloric requirements, knowledge of RMR is critically important. Because metabolism is different among individuals, estimating can lead to errors, and inaccurate calorie budgets. As a result of these estimations, individuals can be both over or under eating, and not be successful in reaching their personal goals. The most accurate assessment of calorie needs is by measuring oxygen consumption and determining individual metabolism. The MedGem® device is a tool that will provide information vital for determining a personalized calorie budget, based on individual metabolism, necessary to achieve and maintain proper weight and nutrition. Additionally, the MedGem® device plays a significant role in providing individual's daily caloric needs to improve individual care through nutrition assessment.

Why is RMR Unique to Each Individual? Why Would It Change?                                                                                   RMR is influenced by a number of factors, such as: body mass, body composition (the amount of fat and muscle), age, gender, and hormones. Muscle burns more calories than fat; a person with a higher percentage of muscle will have a higher RMR. RMR declines naturally in adults at a rate of about 2% per decade; however, this decrease is primarily a result of muscle loss. Men normally have a higher metabolism than women, partly because they tend to have a higher percentage of muscle compared to women. Certain hormones can also increase or decrease metabolism. Additionally, the metabolic response to stress and in jury influences RMR and necessitates measurement of VO2 rather than using formula-based estimates. Estimation equations do not take into account individual variability, pre-existing medical conditions, or the numerous other factors present that can affect RMR.

How To Prepare Yourself for RMR

There are certain guidelines you need to follow to get an accurate measurement of your resting metabolic rate (RMR), the number of calories you burn each day at rest with little or no activity:

• Do not eat for at least 4 hours
• Do not exercise for at least 4 hours (aerobic or strength training)
• Do not consume caffeine or nutritional supplements or medications containing ephedra, Ma Huang, or pseudoephedrine for 4 hours
• Do not smoke or use nicotine for at least 1 hour
• You should rest in a seated or reclining position for 10-15 minutes before the measurement (minimize speaking and movement)

This test takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Please contact Judy Simon if you would like to schedule metabolic testing.

 

Related resources

• Healthier US
• Active At Any Size
• Access Your Physical Activity
• Small Steps