The CRC at BIDMC has an active Metabolism & Nutrition Research (MNR) unit staffed by an experienced Registered Dietitian (RD) and Diet Technicians (DT). The MNR unit has expertise in body composition measurement, bone density, and metabolic testing, and provides computation of nutrient analysis, semi-quantitative food frequency analysis, and design and specification of research diets. The MNR unit includes a metabolic kitchen for preparation of nutrient-controlled meals as well as study-specific testing meals. Services include DXA, anthropometric measurement, indirect calorimetry, weighed meals, diet design, nutrient analysis, nutrition counseling, and education.
Protocol Development
- Collaborate/consult with Investigators on study design
- Evaluate the best methods to gather study specific nutrition information
- Research and identify particular foods to meet study specifications
- Review current literature for nutrient involvement on the promotion or progression of a particular disease state
- Research drug/nutrients interactions
- Evaluation of methodology for assessment of change in metabolic markers for a particular population
- Development of novel nutrition methodology
- Development of nutrient specific screening and assessment materials
- Development of study specific diet education materials
Research Meal Preparation
Development, production, and service of:
- Estimated diets
- Weighed diets
- Metabolic balance diets
- Calculated constant diets
- Controlled macro and micro nutrient diets
- Test meals and meal plans
- OGTT and meal challenge testing
- Post-fast meals
Metabolic Assessment
- Anthropometrics (height, weight, skin fold, and circumferences)
- Bioelectrical impedance (BIA)
- Indirect calorimetry via Metabolic Cart
- Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA)
- Full body scan
- Lumbar spine, hip, forearm
- Vertebral Fracture Analysis
Nutrient Intake Collection and Analysis
- Food records
- 24 hour recalls
- Food frequency questionnaires
Nutrition Counseling and Education
- Provision of nutrition counseling and diet education to study subjects