Carbohydrates or fats: COSMED Q-NRG Metabolic Monitor shows what your body burns at rest
The video, filmed at JFN in Lyon, follows Max le Diet as he visits the COSMED booth to explore and test the Q-NRG Metabolic Monitor. After a brief introduction and overview of the booth, the focus quickly shifts to the core principle behind the device: indirect calorimetry.
By measuring oxygen consumption (VO₂) and carbon dioxide production (VCO₂), the device can accurately determine Resting Energy Expenditure (REE), offering a much more reliable alternative to predictive equations, which are often imprecise.
The video then explores the metabolic meaning of these measurements, including concepts such as diet-induced thermogenesis and the body’s use of different energy substrates like fats and carbohydrates. Particular attention is given to the respiratory quotient, which helps identify which type of fuel the body is primarily using at a given time.
Next, the discussion moves to clinical applications, highlighting the importance of precise metabolic measurement in settings such as intensive care units and in ventilated patients, where inaccurate estimations of energy needs can significantly impact patient outcomes.
A central part of the video is the hands-on presentation of the Q-NRG device. The setup process is demonstrated, especially the “canopy mode,” where a hood is placed over the patient. A live test is performed, with step-by-step explanations of how the data is collected and interpreted, emphasizing the differences between measured and estimated metabolism.
Toward the end, the video reflects on the broader role of direct measurement in nutrition, stressing its value for personalizing dietary interventions.
It concludes with a live analysis of the results, followed by practical considerations about the device, including its cost and market positioning, and a look at future perspectives for this type of technology in both clinical practice and nutrition science.
Discover more about COSMED Q-NRG Metabolic Monitor
[ Video credit: Max le Diet Official YouTube Channel ]
