Measuring...

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Your Metabolism

Does it seem as if everything you eat goes to your tummy or hips?

Are you convinced you have a slow metabolism?

Previously, it would have been difficult to measure metabolism outside of a research center. The old way to measure metabolism was through a process called direct calorimetry. This involved spending time in a calorimeter, an atmospherically controlled chamber, where the amount of heat you produced at rest could be measured. The other option was indirect calorimetry where you breathe into a bag after an overnight fast and the oxygen content of the exhaled air is analyzed.

Both direct calorimetry and indirect calorimetry are accurate ways to measure resting metabolic rate or RMR. The problem is the equipment needed to do this type of testing is quite expensive, usually out of the price range of most doctors’ offices.

At least until now. Recently, a new hand-held device has come on the market that uses the principle of indirect calorimetry to measure metabolism in a much more affordable manner. This device called MetaCheck can calculate RMR in about ten minutes. To do this test, you would breathe into a special mouthpiece where lung gases could be collected and their oxygen content analyzed. Formulas could then be used to calculate your resting metabolic rate. Some doctors’ offices and fitness centers now have this apparatus on site.

What knowledge do you gain by measuring your metabolism? This new device measures RMR which is the rate at which calories are burned when the body is completely at rest, carrying out only basic functions such as breathing and digestion. Surprisingly, most people burn between seventy and eighty percent of their calories at rest.

Exercising significantly increases calorie burn, but most people don’t spend the entire day exercising, so resting metabolic rate has a bigger impact on the rate of calorie burn. Being able to measure your metabolism and understand how rapidly you burn calories at rest allows you to more precisely tailor your diet and exercise program.

Being able to measure metabolism quickly and easily in a doctor’s office can be important for anyone who’s reached a weight loss plateau. Sometimes weight loss plateaus occur because of excessive calorie restriction which causes the metabolism to slow down to conserve energy. When you know your RMR, diet can be adjusted so that the maximal number of calories can be taken in without risking weight gain.

If you’re having trouble adjusting your diet and weight loss program to meet your goals or if you’ve reached a weight loss plateau, see if this ten minute test is available in your area to measure metabolism. It could be time and money well spent.


By Dr. Kristie