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(Measuring Immune System Health)
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is a quick
and painless way to measure fluids, fat and lean body composition. Body
composition is various structures or parts of the body. The BIA can
measure and track changes in amounts of body mass, which include muscle
and organs. A BIA is a good way to make sure you are staying as healthy
as possible. Body composition data can form the basis for a wide variety
of therapeutic health and fitness prescriptions.
Immune System
The Immune system is the system that protects the body
from infections caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Nutritious
foods strengthen the immune system by providing necessary vitamins,
minerals, and anti-oxidants. Unhealthy foods weaken the immune system
by causing inflammation. Healthy foods yield short-term benefits, such
as helping the body fight colds and flu, long-term benefits reduce the
chances of developing diseases such as, cancer, heart disease, diabetes,
stroke, and Alzheimer’s.
The BIA measures cell health. Each cell contains a
potassium based fluid found within the cell wall membrane. The BIA calculates
the time a cell can hold an electrical charge, the longer the cell holds
the charge the healthier the cell. This is indicated as the phase angle.
Phase Angle
Phase Angle is based on total body resistance and reactance;
and is independent of height, weight and body fat. Lower phase angles
appear to be consistent with either cell death or a break down of the
cell membrane. Higher phase angle is consistent with large quantities
of healthy cells.
A Phase Angle of 6.0 or greater is recommended. The
average range is 6.7 – 7.7. The optimal range is 7.8 – 9.4.
Phase angle is a predictor of nutrition health outcome
and indicates the course of disease. It increases with optimal health,
which is based on good nutrition and consistent exercise.
As we get older, the Phase Angle decreases and will
be approximately 4 or less when we die.
Fit adolescents may have a Phase Angle greater than 10. This effect
is a result of cell integrity due to age. Low Phase Angles are consistent
with:
- Malnutrition
- HIV/AIDS infection
- Cancer (most types)
- Abusive lifestyle
- Chronic Alcoholism
- Old age (80-100)
Fitness and a healthy lifestyle are key to maintaining
a healthy Phase Angle. Raising your Phase Angle can be accomplished
by eating a well-balanced nutritional diet.
Phase Angle is a good indicator of disease progression,
although it is not used to diagnose a specific disease. It may be used
to monitor the practice of good health; which would include healthy
diet, the use of nutritional supplements, and exercise.
Parallel Capacitance is somewhat like Phase Angle,
whereas, it is not affected by weight or body fat. It is a measure of
cell membrane health in living substances and can change dramatically
with disease or good health. Cell membranes are thin sheets composed
primarily of phospholipids and proteins. Phospholipid molecules of the
membrane have one end that is soluble in water, the other end is not
water soluble and comprised of fatty acids. This membrane composition
allows water and fat soluble vitamins to enter the cells. As your Phase
Angle increase, so will your Parallel Capacitance.
- 617 – 773 is considered average cell health
- 774 – 1007 is considered optimal cell health
- 1008 and above is considered exceptional cell health
Impedance Index
Impedance Index is a straight line or constant that
separates healthy subjects from those less healthy. A healthy person
has a large amount of body cell mass and therefore will have a very
high Impedance Index. A person that is older and sedentary will have
less body cell mass, and therefore will have a lower Impedance Index.
Normal value for Impedance Index is 1273 and above. Anything below
1273 would indicate a decline in health.
Hydration Status (Fluid Assessment)
Optimal cell function demands optimal cell hydration
(amount of sufficient water within a cell). As the most abundant component
of life on all levels, water is an intimate partner and participant
in every biochemical reaction that occurs within every body cell and
tissue.
Optimal hydration down to the cellular level optimizes
metabolic processes throughout the body. In its struggle for survival,
the body is designed to change metabolic processes to compensate for
deficits in amounts of pure water and deficits in nutritional intake.
If we fail to eat healthy foods and drink adequate amounts of pure water,
the body will compensate to the best of its ability in order to survive;
but a high price is paid. In the absence of sufficient water, protein,
essential fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, cofactors,
energy, and biochemical resources--which could have been used to maintain
youthful tissue--shift damage away from mechanisms that increase longevity
towards those that increase short-term survival. As a result, free radical
proliferates, cell and tissue structure is compromised, not as well
maintained, metabolic residues and debris accumulate more rapidly within
cells, and the process of aging accelerates.
Adequate water supplies within the cell ensure such
processes as efficient functioning of DNA and messenger RNA, as well
as maintenance of form and functions of structural proteins and enzymes.
Of particular importance in aging are enzymes that
neutralize “free radicals” that contribute to aging. Antioxidant
enzyme function demands optimal cell hydration. The water content of
cells participates either directly or indirectly in all biochemical
reactions. Negligence leads to unpleasant and untimely long-term consequences.
*Below figures reveal the percentage of body water to weight.
Total Body Water (TBW)
TBW volume is expressed as a percentage of weight to
determine volume status and reported in liters to track change. The
Distribution State of the TBW is reported through ICW and ECW readings.
TBW indicates the complete volume of fluids in the body and varies as
a percentage of weight based upon the age, sex and dominant tissue of
the subject. TBW correlates to muscle mass. The more muscle mass the
greater the TBW.
Intracellular Water (ICW)
Intracellular Water (ICW) is the potassium based fluid
volume found within the cell wall membrane and correlates with the Phase
Angle. The more ICW you have, the higher the Phase Angle. ICW is a very
sensitive and specific indicator of catabolism. The ICW stability reflects
the earliest response to hyperalimentation or catabolism. ICW is a “cellular
level” finding of body composition.
Extra-cellular Water (ECW)
Extra-Cellular Water (CW) is the sodium-based volume
of fluids found outside of cells including the plasma volume, interstitial,
transcellular. The plasma volume is the most labile component of the
ECW representing circulating volume and can be used for the management
of fluid repletion or diuresis. ECW is usually about 40% of TBW. Fluctuations
of ECW are seen in malabsorption conditions such as diarrhea. The expanded
ECW volume is the target of hemodialysis treatment. The ECW is the initial
site parenteral fluid introduction.
Basal Metabolism
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the amount of energy the body requires
every day to perform its day-to-day functions including:
- Breathing
- Digesting
- Heart Beating
- Muscle Activity
- Transportation of fluids and tissue
- Blood Circulation
If one wants to maintain or lose weight knowing the
BMR is essential. A normal BMR is 10 times the body weight. A normal
BMR is needed to maintain weight. A high BMR would be considered 11
or 12 times your body weight
BMR estimates how fast calories are burned. The slower
the metabolism, the more weight retained. If you burn your daily calorie
intake, you will maintain your current weight. Burning more calories
than you consume promotes weight loss. There are many factors which
impact metabolism; however, exercise, daily activity levels, and eating
small meals five or six times daily is key to increasing the BMR.
Body Cell Mass
Body Cell Mass is the functional mass of the body where
work is done. All oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, glucose
oxidation, protein synthesis, and metabolic processes take place within
the body cell mass. The body cell mass is the total mass of all cellular
elements in the body, and therefore, represents the metabolically active
component of the body. In the normal nourished individual, muscle tissue
accounts for approximately 60% of the body cell mass, organ tissue for
20% of the body cell mass, with the remaining 20% comprised of red blood
cells and tissue cells. It also contains the majority of the body’s
potassium (98-99%). Body Cell Mass percentage should be approximately
40% of total body weight or more.
Extra-Cellular Mass
ECM is the support mass of the body and is metabolically
inactive, consumes no oxygen, produces no carbon dioxide and performs
no work. The extra-cellular mass consists of extra-cellular fluids and
solids, such as bone and cartilage; its primary function is that of
support and transport. When this number changes, it is showing that
there was a change in the ECW. ECM should equal BCM in pounds. An elevated
ECM is usually indicative of an inflammatory response to infection.
A C-reactive protein test should be able to verify the cause of inflammation.
Extra-Cellular Mass should equal Body Cell Mass percentage.
Fat Free Mass
Fat Free Mass is muscle mass. FFM is made up of BCM
and ECM. Men under the age of 60 years should have a FFM 80 –
85 percent. Men over 60 years should have a FFM of 75 to 80 percent.
Women under the age of 60 years should have a FFM of 75 - 80 percent.
Women over 60 years should have a FFM of 70 – 75 percent.
Fat Mass
Fat mass is stored caloric reserve in the body. This
number equals the amount of fat in body weight pounds. Just as you don’t
want too much fat, you also want to avoid too little. For both men and
women, having too little fat can cause the body to stop producing important
hormones.
Men under the age of 60 years should have a FM of 15
– 20 percent. Men over the age of 60 years should have a FM of
20 – 25 percent.
Women under the age of 60 years should have a FM of
20 – 25 percent. Women over the age of 60 years should have a
FM of 25 – 30 percent.
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