Everyone needs a certain amount of body fat to be healthy, but sometimes we have a little too much. Do you know how much body fat you have? Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can tell you.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is a measurement that determines the amount of fat versus lean muscle mass in your body.  Using a small electrical signal, BIA measures the body’s resistance to the signal as it travels through the water that is found in the muscle and fat in your body.  BIA is safe and it does not hurt. In fact, the signal used in body fat monitors can not be felt at all either by an adult or child.

Body Fat Percentage

According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the amount of essential body fat required by women is 10-12%, compared with 2-4% for men. Body fat is necessary in reproduction, which is why women carry 3-6 times as much essential fat as men. In fact, women who have too little body fat and  may actually stop menstruating.

ACE recommends that female athletes maintain 14-20% body fat and male athletes carry 6-13% fat. For non-athletes who are fit, the desirable range is higher: 21-24% for women and 14-17% for men. Body fat percentages between 25 and 31 (for women) and 18 and 25 (for men) are considered acceptable but are found in overweight individuals. People with higher amounts of body fat are considered obese.

An individual’s Body Mass Index (BMI) is a useful number that usually correlates well with the amount of body fat. However, it yields misleading information for people who are more muscular than average (e.g., bodybuilders). BMI calculations also depend on factors like gender, age, ethnicity and bone structure.

What else does BIA measure?

Phase Angle is a measurement of your body’s overall health. It is based on total body resistance and reactance and is independent of height, weight and body fat. If a phase angle is low, it consistent with either cell death or a breakdown of the cell membrane.  Alternately, a high phase angle is consistent large quantities of intact cell membranes and body cell mass. As expected, the phase angle is increased with an increase in bloody mass, even though obesity itself is not associated with good health. 

Phase Angle is a predictor of outcome and indicates the course of disease or increases as the result of optimal health based on good nutrition and consistent exercise.  Usually, a phase angle of six or greater is desired for men and five or greater is desired for women.

As we get older our phase angle will decrease and will be approximately four or less when we die. Fit adolescents may have a phase angle greater than 10.  This effect is a result of cellular integrity due to age.

Low phase angles are consistent with:

• Malnutrition
• Infection (HIV/AIDS, bacteremia)
• Chronic disease (cirrhosis, renal disease, pulmonary tuberculosis)
• Cancer (most types)
• Abusive life style
• Chronic Alcoholism
• Old Age (80 – 100 years)

• Chronic Stress
• Lack of energy
• Muscle or Joint pain
• Migraine headaches
• Osteoporosis
• Sleep disturbances
• Poor memory
• Low sex drive
• Low body temperature
• Alchohol intolerance

If so, you could be suffering from an imbalance in cortisol, one of your adrenal stress hormones.

BH2′s Adrenal Stress Index test that can explain excessive feelings of tiredness and inability to cope.

This diagnostic test is used to help eliminate craving for excessive calories and to help you build and maintain muscle mass. This test also reveals both the strength of your immune system and your ability to safely digest grains that contain wheat-gluten.

These symptoms are all potential food sensitivity reactions:

• Metabolism: Excess weight or difficulty losing weight
• Digestion: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, belching, stomach pain, cramps, heartburn
• Emotions: Mood swings, anxiety, fear, nervousness, anger, irritability, aggressive behavior, depression, binge eating or drinking, food cravings
• Energy and Activity: Fatigue, sluggishness, lethargy, drowsiness, lack of energy, apathy, hyperactivity, restlessness
• Eyes, Ears & Nose: Watery/itchy eyes, blurred vision, ear infections, hearing loss, sneezing attacks, runny/stuffy nose, hay fever, sinus problems, excessive mucous formation
• Mind/Neuro: Poor memory/concentration, fuzzy thinking, headaches, dizziness
• Muscles & Joints: Muscle joint and aches/pains, arthritis, stiffness, general weakness
• Skin: Hives, rashes, dry skin, excessive sweating, acne, hair loss, irritation around eyes
• Throat & mouth: coughing, sore throat, hoarseness, swelling/pain

BH2 offers comprehensive testing to understand what is causing these symptoms:

The Immuno 1Bloodprint:
The majority of toxic reactions to everyday foods are classified as Type II or III. These classifications indicate a delayed symptom onset. Delayed onset is associated with an antibody called IgG. A singe blood test can help us identify your food specific IgG antibodies and uncover which foods are harmonious with your particular system and which foods are having a toxic effect.

IgE 36 Allergen Airborne and Food Allergy Assays:
You may be also suffering from less common, Type I allergy symptoms. The most common triggers are pollens, dust, animal dander and foods. Previously, doctors used a painful, inconvenient method of skin testing to diagnose these IgE mediated allergic reactions. Recently, more convenient blood tests have been developed to detect IgE specific for many allergens. Diagnosing your immediate type allergies is often your first step in a program which can include immunotherapy, life-style management and permanent elimination of reactive foods.

Anti-Gliadin Antibody Assay:
Over 100 chronic health conditions, including celiac disease, have been associated with increased levels of Anti-Gliadin Antibody.  Gliadin is the protein component of wheat, rye and barley gluten. Implementing a gluten-free diet has shown to be a reliable treatment, allowing celiac patients to live normal, healthy lives. Recent research has shown the detection of Anti-Gliadin Antibody Assay (AGA) detects both IgG and IgA to gliadin by the ELISA method. This test is a very effective screening test for gliadin and is a good method for monitoring a patient’s adherence to a gluten-free diet.

Candida Albicans Assay:
Recently a common form of yeast infection has emerged which manifests symptoms that are often systemic causing considerable discomfort. Candida usually originates as an overgrowth of yeast in your lower gastrointestinal tract. Some reasons why this may happen include: frequent courses of steroids, antibiotics, oral contraceptives, diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates. ELISA and immunodiffusion tests can confirm yeast overgrowth in the body.

Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori):
A patient may be having symptoms of heartburn and gastrointestinal reflux disease due to H. pylori colonization of the stomach and lower GI tract. H. pylori has been shown to be the causative agent for many cases of stomach and small intestinal ulcers. A simple blood test that we can perform will measure a person’s antibody reactivity to the bacteria.

Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody Assay (tTG):
Celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis, recognized forms of gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE), are characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. Patients with celiac disease may suffer from other diverse side effects or be asymptomatic. All GSE patients have an increased risk of Lymphoma. The cause of GSE is intolerance to gluten, the protein of wheat, rye and barley. A gluten-free diet controls GSE and associated risks. For patients suspected with  gluten intolerance, we use the tissue transglutaminase antibody assay (tTG), together with the anti-gliadin antibody assay. Together, these  tests reliably diagnosing celiac disease.

Total IgE:
Total IgE is a measure of a patient’s total circulating levels of the IgE antibody. IgE is commonly elevated in patients with allergic reactivity to food/molds, chemicals, drugs and or environmental inhalants such as weeds, trees, pollens and grasses. Total IgE is an excellent screening assay and elevated results would justify further testing for allergen-specific IgE.

At Bh2, we provide micro-nutrient testing using SpectraCell. This test measures the function of selected vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other essential micro-nutrients within your white blood cells. Analysis can reveal a person’s functional nutrient status over a much longer time period. Many factors contribute to vitamin and mineral deficiencies including:

Biochemical Individuality
Every person is metabolically and biochemically unique, and the micro-nutrient requirements may differ from one person to the next.

Absorption
You may have deficiencies of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other essential micro-nutrients if they are not broken down and absorbed properly.

Chronic Illness
Micro-nutrient efficiencies can directly or indirectly affect health conditions such as arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, fatigue and multiple sclerosis.

Aging
Our micro-nutrient requirements at age 30 are quite different from our requirements at age 40, 50 and beyond. Absorption difficulties develop as we age.

Lifestyle
Excessive physical activity, prescription drugs, smoking, alcohol and sedentary habits all impact micro-nutrient demands.