Measuring Your Metabolism

Advertising has been strong when it comes to losing weight products and services. Through this medium, people are becoming more interested and captivated with the promises and the assurances these ads hold. In this modern world, everything that meets the eye is marketable- sad to say. We need not carried away with these commercials. Increasing your metabolism is the best means of doing so. You just need your self, and a little help from outside factors. The first step is to measure your metabolism.

So How do we measure our metabolism?

A metabolic test comes in two ways. The first method is direct calorimetry. This method measures the energy expended in the form of heat. The other one is indirect calorimetry, it measures the amount of oxygen consumed over a period of time. Traditionally used in hospital and research facilities due to the cost of the machine and the need for trained technicians.

What are the needed preparations for the test?

The aim of the test is to gauge the RMR or the Resting Metabolic Rate of an individual. Therefore, he or she needs to avoid eating a meal 1 and a half hours before the test, avoid exercising on the day of your test and avoid the use of stimulants such as caffeine on the day of the test.

What happens in the testing bed?

You will relax in a seated position; the doctor will ask you to do this. A mask or mouthpiece would be used and you have to breathe in there for ten to fifteen minutes. A report after the test would be printed out by the machine. The most important part is that you discuss the results with the doctor in order to come up with the next steps for your diet plans.

Would the test results be useful for good?

No. You have to retest after some time. Your RMR and your total metabolism changes through time. Change in any element of your lifestyle would directly affect the result. For you to keep a track of your metabolic rate, seek help from a doctor. There is a need for one person to give value to his metabolism because it will not just decide your size but it will have an impact on your lifestyle and on your entire life.

Technorati Tags: Diet Lifestyle, Metabolism, Increase Metabolism

Be "heart healthy", you body will thank you!

When it comes to maintaining a healthy heart it's important to have a plan - a heart healthy diet plan that is. The condition of your heart is definitely linked to a heart healthy diet. In 1924, famous cardiologist Paul Dudley White claimed that "Exercise can't hurt a healthy heart.
Following is a list of wonderful ingredients to have on hand when you're coming up with a good heart healthy diet plan.

A heart healthy diet begins with the types of food on your plate and the ability you have to maintain an ideal body weight. If you are interested in more specific guidelines for a heart healthy vegetarian diet, the ebook Vegetarian Cooking is a good resource. It is also important to point out the fact that the consumption of omega 3 fatty acids should accompany a diet that already has a healthy foundation. It would be safe to say the benefits of a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids can have a profound effect on human health and wellness. Several large studies have examined the relationship between the risk of heart disease and intake of omega-3 fatty acids from plant sources. Folic acid helps the elderly reduce the risk of stroke, thrombosis and heart disease, if they increased the recommended levels of folic acid by three times.

A recent study indicates that one of the strongest risk factors for developing heart disease is inactivity – even more so than being overweight. You should try to get at least 20 minutes of aerobic type activity a minimum of 4 days a week, which dilates the coronary arteries which increases oxygen and blood flow. Get outside and walk or jump on the treadmill, you heart "muscle" will love the exercise!