Bionutrition
The Bionutrition Unit of the Emory University Georgia CTSA facilitates state-of-the-art nutritional science research and is staffed by two research dietitians, Kristen Narlow, MS, RDN, LD, CC, and Heather Zhou, RDN, LD, and a clinical research dietitian fellow, Jingze Tian, MS, RDN, LD. The unit is co-directed by Dr. Rani H. Singh, Ph.D., RDN, LD, and Dr. Thomas R. Ziegler, MD. Together this team provides support for protocol development, conducts well-controlled human feeding studies, and is trained to assess body composition, energy expenditure, and exercise tolerance.
Bionutrition Services
- Consultation on nutrition-related study design and methods
- Body composition
- Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)
- BOD POD body composition tracking system (air displacement plethysmograph)
- Bioimpedance analysis (BIA)
- Anthropometric measurements
- 7-site skin folds, waist-hip, and other circumference measurements
- Energy expenditure and exercise testing:
- Indirect calorimetry using Vmax Encore
- Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) using Vyntus CPX
- Nutrition assessment and education of study participants
- Recipe & menu development for controlled feeding studies
- Data collection and dietary intake analysis
- 24-hour recall, 3-day diet records, food frequency questionnaires
- Using a variety of software including Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR), Metabolic Pro, ASA24, etc.
- Metabolic Research Kitchen
- Experimental research diets prepared for both inpatient and outpatient studies including meal challenges