Clinical Relevance of BIA

“BIA is a simple in-office test that converts easily obtained electrical measurements into information about the patient’s body composition and fluid distribution ...”

Robert Rakowski DC

STEP 1 Total Body Water/Fat

Free Mass This marker refers to the

hydration of the patient. Must be higher than 69%

for a test to be valid. If <69%, patient should

be put on hydration protocol and retested in 24-48 hours.

Higher is typically better

STEP 1 (CONTINUED) TBW/FFM

Percentage of fat-free mass that is water

Values below 69 indicate dehydration

Accurate even when subject is significantly overweight

TBW/Total Weight Percentage of total

weight that is water Declines with age Shows dehydration if

person is significantly overweight.

STEP 2 Phase angle

General indicator of cellular health

Provides info on cell membrane potential at the tissue level

Do You Believe in Miracles?•Lance Armstrong is monitored with the BIA during his preparation for the Tourde France.

•Dr. Jeff Spencer uses a variety of Metagenics products to keep his teamleading the world.

Cellular health tends to be correlated to a person’s phase angle

Lance

Armstrong

Suboptimal

STEP 3 Intracellular Water

Healthy cells maintain their integrity and hold their fluid inside

>60% is optimal. Changes with age

Extracellular Water Water volume outside of

the body cell mass Higher values may be

related to fluid retention

STEP 4 Fat Free Mass vs. Fat

Determine the amount of metabolically active tissue in the person.

Optimal range depends on sex and age of person.

BIA can determine both subcutaneous fat (Love Handles) as well as visceral fat found around the organs of the body.

Advantage over calipers to assess true health status.

STEP 5 ECM/BCM

Ratio of extracellular mass (non-metabolically active) to body cell mass (metabolically active)

Low value is desirable Upward shift suggests

imbalanced weight loss. Downward shift suggests

balanced weight loss. Use Body Composition

Protocol to shift.

STEP 6 Body Mass Index

BMI correlates with a person’s health.

Studies show even moderate BMI shifts mean health consequences.

Lower is better Alter using Body

Composition Program.

STEP 7 Basal Metabolic Rate

BMR- is the amount of calories a person burns during a 24 hour period while at rest.

More lean body mass will increase the BMR

Higher is typically better. Each person is very unique Essential in establishing a

proper body composition program.