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Body Gem


The BodyGem® metabolic measurement device by HealtheTech measures resting metabolic rate, the number of calories your body burns each day at rest. BodyGem® helps you understand your unique metabolism and monitor changes, giving you ultimate control in managing nutrition, weight, and general fitness.

The BalanceLog® Weight and Nutrition Monitoring Software allows users to create a personalized weight and nutrition management program based on their unique metabolism. It runs on PCs and Palm OS® devices, and lets you accurately track calories in and out to help you achieve your nutrition, fitness, and weight management goals.

Questions and Answers on the Body Gem

What is Metabolism?
What is RMR?
Why is it necessary to measure RMR?
How do you measure RMR?

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Answers

What is metabolism?
Metabolism is the biochemical process of combining nutrients with oxygen to release the energy needed to function. Metabolism is typically measured in kilocalories or, more commonly, calories. Total metabolic rate represents the calories needed for maintaining body functions, daily activity (occupational and lifestyle), and the energy cost of exercise or planned activity.

What is RMR?
Resting metabolic rate (RMR) represents the calories the body burns to maintain vital body functions (heart rate, brain function, breathing). In simple terms, it is the number of calories a person would burn if awake, but at rest all day. RMR can represent up to 75% of a person's total metabolism if they are inactive or lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Why is it necessary to measure RMR?
Most health care professionals recognize that metabolism is impacted by unique characteristics such as, fever, illness, high fitness, obesity, active weight loss, etc. When managing a client or patient's nutritional needs and calorie requirements, knowledge of RMR is critically important.

Traditionally, health care professionals, who have not had access to measurement technology, have relied on estimates of RMR. Because metabolism is different among individuals, estimating can lead to errors. As technology advances, health care professionals must reassess their practices. The most accurate assessment of caloric needs is to measure oxygen consumption.

BodyGem® by HealtheTech is the tool that will provide an accurate picture of an individual's caloric needs to improve patient care through nutrition assessment. Additionally, BodyGem® plays a significant role in weight management applications and provides an accurate measurement of the number of calories an individual needs to achieve their weight management goals.

How do you measure RMR?
Metabolic rate is traditionally assessed using either direct or indirect calorimetry. Direct calorimetry requires the precise measure of heat output using a large, expensive, and technically complex whole body calorimeter. Indirect calorimetry determines metabolic rate from the oxygen consumption of the subject. Oxygen consumption measurements are typically done with a medical device called a metabolic cart. These devices are relatively expensive, $20,000-$50,000, require technical expertise to operate, and require routine maintenance and calibration. Over the past 10 years, HealtheTech has harnessed revolutionary new technology to develop BodyGem®, a handheld device that can measure RMR. The BodyGem® measures oxygen consumption quickly, accurately, and easily.