Body Gem®

The BodyGem® metabolism measurement device by Healthe Tech™ is a handheld, portable unit that measures oxygen consumption to determine an individual’s unique metabolic rate.  Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the number of calories a person’s body typically burns at rest each day, accounting for the vast majority (about 75%) of total calories burned in a day.

Metabolism can vary substantially among individuals, even among those of the same height, weight, age and gender.  In order to lose, gain, or maintain weight, you need to know how many calories your body is burning and how many calories you are consuming.  This is called the Energy Balance Equation – energy in vs. energy out.  To lose weight, you must consume fewer calories than you burn.  Measuring your unique metabolism provides you with the information you need to establish a personalized calorie budget for successful weight management. 

Your Lotus Fitness Healthy Weight Management consultant will use the BodyGem® device to measure your RMR, determine your calorie budget and put together the most effective weight management program for you. 

Factors that Affect Metabolism

Body Mass
People with more mass will have a higher metabolism.

Body Composition
Muscle burns more calories than fat, even at rest.

Age
RMR declines naturally in adults at a rate of about 2-3% per decade because of loss of lean muscle mass.

Gender
Men normally have a higher RMR than women primarily because of body mass and body composition.

Hormones
Certain hormones can increase or decrease metabolism.

Nutritional supplements
Certain supplements can increase or decrease metabolism.

Nicotine
Increases RMR.

Caffeine
Increases RMR.

Ephedra/Ephedrine containing products
Increases RMR.

Pharmaceuticals
Prescription and OTC drugs can increase or decrease RMR.

Fever and/or infection
Increase in body temperature will increase RMR.

Stress/emotional excitement
Both could cause an increase in RMR due to an increases utilization of stress hormones

Exercise          
Strength training can lead to a chronic increase in RMR because of the increase in lean muscle mass.
Cardiovascular training has acute increased calorie burning affects but does not sign


Measuring Oxygen Consumption

Conditions that allow for an accurate RMR calculation

When having your oxygen consumption measured to determine your resting metabolic rate (RMR) with the Body Gem device, it is important that you are calm and relaxed.   If you have been active or stressed, or have recently eaten or exercised, the rate of oxygen consumption will be accurate for that condition but may not be representative of actual RMR.

• Clients should be rested in a comfortable seated or reclined position.  Clients who are in a  non rested state (e.g. recent physical therapy treatment, respiratory treatment including medications, chest percussion procedure, stressful event) should rest for approximately 15 minutes before their measurement to allow the body to stabilize.

• Measurement should be performed at least four hours after eating. 

• Measurements should be performed in a quite environment.

• Measurement should be performed at least four hours after exercise (cardiovascular and resistance training).

• Measurement should be performed at least four hours after caffeine consumption.

• Measurement should be performed at least one hour after nicotine use.