Why Guess When You Can Know?

Metabolism, quite simply, is the conversion of food to energy.

Metabolic rate is a measure of how much food, or fat, is converted to energy in a day. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the measurement of how much food, or energy, is required to maintain basic body functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and maintenance of body heat while you are in a state of rest. That energy is expressed in calories per day. So an RMR test shows how many calories you burn at rest, doing nothing more than sitting in a chair.

Why is this important?

Proper nutritional care is VITAL for the hospitalized patient. Studies show that hospital stays are reduced an average of 60% when nutritional status is evaluated and needs are met.

The formulas that predict caloric needs for nutritional assessment (Harris Benedict, Miffin, etc) are inadequate for certain populations, especially sick or hospitalized patients. RMR is recommended for the following populations:

• All patients receiving parental or enteral nutrition
• Hypermetabolic patients (burns, trauma, sepsis, head injury)
• Starvation-adapted or malnourished patients
• Extremely obese patients (>=200% of ideal body weight)
• Patients with non-healing wounds
• Patients with abnormal body composition (multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, spinal cord injury, amputations).

Patients who can benefit from education about appropriate calorie intake.

How can I benefit from this?

The resting metabolic rate test determines how many calories your body burns at rest, which will help you decide how many calories you need to eat every day to lose, maintain, or gain weight. It also tells you how efficient your body is at metabolizing fat compared to blood glucose. This is an important indicator of metabolic or overall health.

As you diet, lose weight, change your lifestyle or experience stress in your life your resting metabolic rate can change altering your caloric needs. A resting metabolic test will provide a needed baseline to build you a specific nutritional program designed to meet your individual needs. As your body adapts to the program, a new test will need to be administered to capture your bodies increased efficiencies and new protocols will be issued.  This is a great way to maximize your time and effort, along with providing very specific information about how your body operates.

If you're interested in scheduling a Resting Metabolic Assessment email us at admin@fluidhealthandfitness.com.

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