…Why do you need one?
As a part of our FirstLine therapy initial and follow-up
testing, a bioimpedance analysis of your body is taken. Bioimpedance analysis
(BIA) is a valuable tool for measuring your body composition – the measurement
of body fat in relation to lean body mass. It is an important part of any
comprehensive health and nutrition assessment.
Why is body composition important to your health?
A normal balance of body fat to lean body mass is
associated with good health and longevity. Excess fat in relation to lean body
mass, a condition known as altered body composition, can greatly increase your
risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more. BIA enables early detection
of an improper balance in your body composition, which allows for earlier
intervention and prevention. BIA also provides the measurement of fluid and
body mass that can be critical assessment tool for your current state of
health.
BIA serves to measure your progress as you work to
improve your health. Improving your BIA measure, or maintaining a health BIA
measurement, can help keep your body functioning properly for healthy aging and
reduced risk of illness. With your BIA results, we can recommend a personalized
dietary plan, nutritional supplements, and exercise to help support optimal
health and well-being for a lifetime.
How does BIA work?
BIA is a much more sophisticated than your bathroom
scale, but just as painless and almost as quick. BIA is a simple procedure
performed in our clinic in a matter of minutes with the help of a sophisticated
computerized analysis. Measurements are taken with the bioimpedance analyzer,
which uses electrodes similar to EKG electrodes. The Analyzer calculates your
tissue and fluid compartments using an imperceptible electrical current passed
through pads placed on one hand and foot as you lie comfortably on a treatment
couch or table. Lean tissue, which is over 70% water, is a good conductor of
electrical current. Fatty tissue, which is low in water, is not. Thus, the
resistance to the flow of electrical current measured by the analyzer can be
used to calculate the body composition. Optimal body fat ranges from 15% to 25%
for women and 10% to 20% for men.
Over 100 independent studies conducted over the past 20
years have demonstrated that BIA can provide an accurate and clinically useful
assessment of body composition.
CONTACT US
If you would like to have an analysis, contact us and
schedule a FirstLine Therapy or nutritional evaluation today!
