Bioimpedance Analysis - Oriental Healing Arts

How Is Your Health Evolving? Bioimpedance Analysis
By Stephanie DiPietro, L.Ac., N.B.A.O.

Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA) is a diagnostic tool used to get objective data regarding a person's health status as well as monitor how a person's health is evolving. This test produces sufficiently accurate data for little time and effort. Individuals as well as health care practitioners need objective data to gauge whether or not a fiber diet, lifestyle, nutritional protocol, or medication is working for them. We all need to be motivated, and this kind of information is motivational. This is a scientifically validated procedure with over 2000 published research studies that have used this technology.

The bioimpedance analyzer is a n FDA approved electronic device which applies a small

50-Kilohertz alternating current to the body using sensor pad electrodes which are placed on the right hand and foot. In just a moment, after entering the individual's height, weight, age, sex, and the amount of exercise a person performs in a week, valuable information is at your fingertips.

This data then provides a clinical assessment of body composition which includes fat mass, lean body mass, body cell mass, extracellular mass, total body water, intracellular water, extracellular water, basal metabolic rate, and phase angle. Phase angle is a "buzz word" indicating cellular health and integrity. Within the last few years there have been several published papers in major journals depicting phase angle as the best indicator for prognosis of survival for patients with cancer, AIDS, and kidney disease. This is the number most athletes are interested in. A normal distribution of tissue and fluid in the body is associated with immunity, high function, and longevity. An abnormal distribution of tissue and fluid in the body is associated with susceptibility, effects of disease and aging, low function, morbidity, and mortality.

Specific areas where body composition information can be applied include Nutritional Assessment, Anti-aging Therapy, Physical Performance Assessment, Weight Management, Obesity, Eating Disorders, HIV/AIDS, Diabetes Fluid Analysis, Dialysis Fluid and Nutritional Assessment, Critical Care Monitoring, Geriatrics, Lifestyles Assessment, Athletic Performance, Clinical Trials, and Research Initiatives.

According to a JAMA article by Dr. Roubenoff, "Muscle is the major source of protein for functions such as antibody production, wound healing, and white blood cell production during illness. If the body's protein reserves are already depleted by sarcopenia (muscle loss), there is less to mobilize for illness." We all want more vitality and functional capacity ofr a slong as we can have it. We all want more metabolically active tissue (lean body mass) and less metabolically inactive tissue (fat mass). We all want our cells to be like plump, juicy grapes as opposed to dried out raisins. Our goal is a first line therapy approach of therapeutic approach implementing lifestyle modifications accompanied by a nutritional program that can offset biochemical imbalances, environmental assaults, and keep our cells happy. How is your health evolving?

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Stephanie Di Pietro, L.Ac., NBAO 5297 Scotts Valley Drive Scotts Valley, CA 95066 Call (831) 439-5145
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