St. Petersburg Nutrition offers Gold Standard metabolic and body composition testing. These important tools can help accelerate your goals and help you achieve success.
Is my metabolism fast or slow? Why can’t I lose weight? I am eating well and exercising, why isn’t the scale budging? If you find yourself asking these questions, you have come to the right place!
Why Test RMR?
What is a Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) Test?
Metabolism is the process of converting food (calories) into energy. The efficiency with which your body does this is referred to as your metabolic rate. Many factors affect a person’s metabolic rate: weight, age, body composition, hormone levels, and gender making it a highly unique number.
Why Test your Metabolic Rate?
Understanding your body’s unique metabolic rate will allow your Dietitian to customize your weight loss, weight gain, body composition or maintenance program more precisely to meet your goals.
- It can screen for a slowed metabolism that may explain frustrated attempts to lose weight in the past.
- It can reveal changes in your metabolism during the weight loss process that can help trouble shoot a frustrating plateau.
- Once you reach your goal, an RMR measurement can give you the precise caloric prescription for maintenance to help you sustain that goal weight.
How does the test work?
KORR Metabolic Analyzers utilize the same technology as ICU metabolic testing. Because every calorie a person consumes requires a fixed amount of oxygen to be converted to energy, the KORR Analyzer measures the oxygen you consume to calculate calories burned. All of the air exhaled by the patient must be collected to measure oxygen consumption. Two one-way valves in the KORR MetaBreather ensure that only fresh air is inhaled and all exhaled gas passes through the hose and into the machine. A nose-clip ensures that all exhaled air is analyzed.
Preparing for the Test
In order to get the most accurate results, it is important to follow the standard protocol for a Resting Metabolic Rate test:
- You should avoid eating 4 hours before the test.
- Avoid exercising prior to your test.
- If possible, avoid the use of stimulants such as caffeine.
During the Test
During the test you will be invited to sit and relax. You will be given a KORR MetaBreather mouthpiece to breathe in to. You will be breathing in air from the room, but the gas that you breathe out will go into the metabolic analyzer to measure your metabolic rate.
- Relax and close your eyes during the test or pick up something good to read.
- Keep lips sealed lightly around the MetaBreather. It is important that all the air you breathe out is analyzed.
- In just 10 minutes, your metabolic rate will be measured and you will receive your results instantly!
What is Body Composition?
Bodyweight is not the only way and not always the best way to measure progress. Your body is composed of fat mass and fat-free mass. Fat-free mass is everything in your body that is not fat, which includes muscle mass, organs, bones, water and connective tissues. Each individual has a different body composition and body fat percentage, both of which can be changed through dietary intake and exercise.
Measuring Body Composition Changes
Now more than ever, people are choosing to measure body composition to track their progress. The scale at times can lead us to think we are failing or at a plateau which can be completely untrue if your body composition is improving. You can be losing inches and improving health all while the scale may not be reflecting these improvements accurately.
Here at St. Petersburg Nutrition we use a highly accurate method of testing called “skinfolds.” A skinfold caliper (as you can see in the picture) is a precision tool used by our trained professionals to obtain the most accurate results and to track and monitor your progress. Skinfold body composition testing is the most accurate method of testing that does not involve x-rays or submersion in water. Schedule an appointment to learn more and to have your body composition checked today!