Resting Metabolic Rate Specialist

What is resting metabolic rate?

Your resting metabolic rate is the amount of calories your body uses while resting. It includes the calories your body needs to breathe, pump blood throughout your body, and support organ and neurological function. 

Resting metabolic rate is proportional to your lean body mass. Men tend to have a higher resting metabolic rate than women because they’re typically bigger and have more muscle mass. 

How do you calculate my resting metabolic rate?

While you can use online calculators to estimate your resting metabolic rate, the team at Coral Gables Cardiology Associates, P.A. uses state-of-the-art testing to measure your oxygen utilization to calculate your energy expenditure. 

This test provides an accurate measurement of your resting metabolic rate. Calculators don’t take your body mass/composition or overall metabolism into account, which can lead to significant inaccuracies. 

Why do I need to know my resting metabolic rate?

Knowing your resting metabolic rate helps you calculate your body’s daily caloric needs. This is critical when creating a nutritious meal plan that either enables you to maintain a healthy weight or creates a consistent calorie deficit for weight loss. 

Many people overestimate their body’s daily caloric needs and underestimate how much they eat. As a result, they feel like they’re working hard to lose weight but not making progress. 

When you know your resting metabolic rate and your daily caloric needs, you, your doctor, and your nutritionist can create a balanced meal plan and exercise routine to help you reach and maintain your ideal weight. 

Why is it important to maintain a healthy weight?

Your weight has a profound effect on your health and well-being. If you’re overweight or obese, you have a higher risk of developing health problems, including:

• High blood pressure;
• High cholesterol;
• Heart disease;
• Diabetes;
• Arthritis;
• Asthma;
• Sleep apnea;
• Fatty liver disease;
• Kidney disease;
• Infertility; and,
• Cancer.

Maintaining a healthy weight reduces your chances of developing any of these chronic diseases and helps you avoid medical treatments. When you maintain a healthy weight, you have more energy, sleep better, and often feel more confident.

What happens during a resting metabolic rate assessment?

Prior to the start of the test, you should be fasting for at least 6 hours. This includes no food, caffeine, or other stimulants (but water is O.K.). You should refrain from exercise on the day of the test.

A resting metabolic rate assessment usually takes around 20 minutes. You breathe into a tube through the mouth. There will be a nose plug on your nose to ensure that all the ventilation is coming from your mouth into the tube. Once the test is over, the data is available for your physician and nutritionist immediately. 

Speak to your physician or nutritionist to learn more about the resting metabolic rate assessment offered at Coral Gables Cardiology Associates.

We serve the greater Miami, Florida area. Call us to book your appointment today.