Metabolic testing is a powerful tool that gives a dietitian insight into someone’s unique biology. It’s one way to identify areas of nutritional deficiency and resting energy expenditure. Whether you’re dealing with chronic illnesses, issues with weight management, or sudden-onset ailments, it’s crucial to perform testing beyond basic blood work.
While a yearly annual with your primary care provider is necessary, a specialist, such as Dietitian For All, has the time and resources to gather more comprehensive information about an individual's metabolic processes.
Dietitians can use a metabolic testing template to create personalized treatment plans that consider an individual's specific needs and goals. Keep reading to learn what filling out a metabolic test template will tell you and the benefits of testing on the path to achieving optimal health.
What is metabolic testing, and how is it performed?
Respiratory metabolic testing, also called indirect calorimetry, is done to evaluate your caloric consumption at the cellular level by measuring how much oxygen the body uses. At Dieitian For All, I use the FDA-approved ReeVue system, which provides detailed, comprehensive data regarding a client's metabolic rate.
This non-invasive test provides a complete picture of an individual's health and their unique needs when it comes to caloric consumption for weight and an array of nutritional concerns, including:
- Obesity-related diseases
- Sleep disorders
- Thyroid disorders
- Metabolic syndromes
- And more
A dietitian can identify specific deficiencies or imbalances impacting a client’s overall well-being by conducting metabolic testing.
The testing is performed by the client breathing through a mouthpiece connected to the ReeVue system for approximately ten minutes. The equipment collects expelled air and measures consumed oxygen, with which it can calculate the number of calories burned.
What does a metabolic test template tell you?
Knowing your resting metabolic rate (RMR) tells you the number of calories you burn at rest as if you were simply sitting in a chair all day. Knowing that baseline number gives insight into your overall energy needs, which a dietitian and nutritionist will use to guide their recommendations for nutrition and exercise.
Knowing your RMR can also help identify potential imbalances, such as a slow metabolism, which can make weight loss more difficult.
A dietitian may recommend repeated metabolic testing to help monitor an individual's health and make adjustments to fine-tune their treatment plan.
Who should get metabolic testing performed?
You don’t have to wait until you feel unwell or are dealing with weight management issues to get more information about your RMR. Respiratory metabolic testing can benefit anyone looking to improve their overall health and wellness.
That said, the ReeVue system is particularly helpful for those struggling with weight loss, considering bariatric surgery, or having metabolic imbalances.
Athletes or people who want to optimize their performance may also consider getting a respiratory metabolic test to determine their precise energy needs. Those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or hypothyroidism could also benefit from metabolic testing to guide their treatment plan.
Dietitian For All uses a comprehensive metabolic test template to maximize the benefits of your diet for your unique needs.
As a registered dietitian and nutritionist with over a decade of experience and a background as a personal trainer, I understand the power of personal transformation and the importance of sustainable change.
Through my own personal and health journey, I discovered the benefits of Functional Medicine and the importance of testing beyond basic blood work. My practice incorporates science and history to create personalized treatment plans for optimal health. I invite you to explore the ever-changing realm of personal health and wellness with me and take control of your unique biological individuality, starting with a metabolic testing template.