Bio Impedance Analysis

Bio Impedance Analysis (BIA) is a screening tool that is used to determine body composition of an individual. It is an accurate, non invasive tool which helps the patient and practitioner understand the level of the following.

• Percentages of Body Fat, including Visceral Fat
• Percentages of Muscle Tissue
• Percentages of Hydration Levels
• Intracellular and Extracellular Fluid
• Weight of Bone
• Body Mass Index
• Metabolic Rate and Calorie Requirement
• Biological Age
• Physique Rating and Fitness Level

It is therefore very useful as a monitoring tool for all types of health programs, including weight loss and weight gain programs. As it is a Measure of the BMI it is also a very useful tool to help the practitioner understand the risks for disease and therefore aid in prevention if illness.

Technical data

The BIA works by measuring the opposition to the flow of an electric current through the body fluids contained mainly in the lean and fat tissue. The Impedance is low in lean tissue, where intracellular fluid and electrolytes are primarily contained, but high in fat tissue. Impedance is thus proportional to body water volume (TBW).
The Bio Impedance Analysis utilizes a small constant current, typically 800 uA at a fixed frequency, usually 50 kHz, this is passed between electrodes spanning the body and the voltage drop between electrodes provides a measure of impedance.

Prediction equations, previously generated by correlating impedance measures against an independent estimate of TBW, may be used subsequently to convert measured impedance to a corresponding estimate of TBW. The lean body mass is then calculated from this estimate using an assumed hydration fraction for lean tissue. Fat mass is calculated as the difference between body weight and lean body mass.

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A PATHOLOGY TEST OR DIAGNOSTIC TOOL. SCREENING IS PERFORMED FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE PRACTITIONER AT INTEGRATED HEALTH