Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is a test that measures your tissue health. Our goal is to bring your tissue health to its maximum level. Here are some of the important measurements we look at:

Body Composition

Body composition is a combination of your body fat and your body cell mass, which is your metabolically active tissue (muscles and organs). Your organs don't change size, so if your body cell mass increases or decreases, it is because you are gaining or loosing muscle. "…there may be no single feature of age-related decline more striking than the decline in lean body mass in affecting ambulation, mobility, energy intake, overall nutrient intake and status, independence and breathing." J Nut 127:990S-991S (1997). Decreasing body cell mass indicates that your health is declining due to a disease process.

This is an important measurement for anyone on a weight loss program.

Total Body Water

Total body water is the amount of water you presently have in your body. This will tell us if you are dehydrated. Your total body water is distributed between intracellular and extracellular water. The more water you have inside your cells, the healthier you are. When you have increased toxicity in your body, water will be pulled out of your cells to dilute the toxicity. Increased extracellular water can result in increased blood pressure and decreased oxygen to your tissues.

Phase Angle

Phase Angle is a measurement of the strength and integrity of your cells and therefore your overall health. "The derived value, 'phase angle', has been published as the best indicator for prognosis of survival for patients with cancer, AIDS, and renal disease." J of AIDS & RV Vol. 9 No. 1, 1995.

These are three of the measurements we utilize to monitor the progress of your health and make appropriate recommendations according to your individual needs.