The Science behind the challenge
The Bioelectrical
Impedance Analysis (BIA) is a micro current
measurement that will not shock us when tested.
It does help us to understand how the energy
runs through our body. The (BIA) takes two measurements,
Resistance and Reactance. Resistance
is something that opposes flow. In the body,
highly conductive lean tissues contain large
amounts of water and conducting electrolytes
(ionic minerals) and represent a low
resistance electrical pathway. If our fluid
is congested with waste poisons we will show
a high resistance electrical pathway. When our
body is depleted of Ionic Minerals we will have
high resistance electrical pathway. Our body
is designed to digest our oils, proteins, grains
or they will turn into stored energy (fat).
Without proper enzymes we will show a
high resistance electrical pathway. If we can
not digest or eliminate our food intake we create
high resistance to energy flow. (BIA) helps
us to appreciate how the energy flows in our
body as an individual.
Reactance,
also known as capacitive reactance when
describing biological tissues, is the opposition
to the instantaneous flow of electric current
caused by capacitance. In the healthy living
body, the cell membrane consists of a layer
of non-conductive lipid material sandwiched
between two layers of conductive protein molecules,
The structure of cell membranes makes them capacitive
reactive elements which behave as capacitors
when exposed to an alternating current. Biologically,
the cell membrane functions as a selectively
permeable barrier separating the intracellular
and extra cellar fluid compartments. It protects
the interior of the cell while allowing passage
of some materials to which it is permeable.
The cell membrane maintains a fluid osmotic
pressure and ion concentration gradient between
the intracellular and extra cellular compartments.
This gradient creates an electrical potential
difference across the membrane which is essential
to cell survival. Fluid balance in and out of
the cell is very important to cell life, along
with Ionic Minerals to move material across
the cell membrane. To much fluid around the
cell will dehydrate the inside of a cell, not
good. The fluid balance in and outside a cell
will conduct proper electrical (ions) current.
With no electricity or (mineral ions) in and
outside the cell, there is no life. There must
be an oscillating current at all times across
the cell membrane. Damage to the cell membrane,
and its functions, is as lethal to the cell
as direct damage to the nucleus itself. Damage
the cell wall and you stop the energy or electric
ion flow. Remember water and mineral ion balance
is key for a healthy cell.
Theoretically,
reactance is a measure of the volume of cell
membrane capacitance and an indirect measure
of the intracellular volume or body cell mass.
Whereas, body fat, total body water and extra
cellular water offer resistance to electrical
current, only cell membranes offer capacitive
reactance. Since fat tissue cells ARE NOT
SURROUNDED BY CELL MEMBRANES, reactance is
not affected by the quantity of body fat.
Impedance:
Impedance is a complex quantity, having both
a resistive and reactive component. It has a
magnitude and Phase Angle. Specifically,
it is the vector sum of resistance and reactance,
where reactance is the Y coordinate and resistance
is the X coordinate. The square root of the
squared sums of X and Y is impedance. Phase
angle is the angle (degrees) between the resistance
coordinate and the impedance magnitude (line).
If, for example, there were zero resistance
and any value of reactance then phase angle
would be 90 degrees. On the other hand, if reactance
were zero and resistance had any finite value,
then the phase angle would be zero degrees.
Phase angle is a simple method of expressing
the effective ratio of resistance and reactance
from 0-90 degrees and electrically describes
how voltage and current lead of lag each other
in any circuit of resistors and capacitors.
Impedance and phase angle only exist with alternating
current.
What
is 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
breakdown of the cell membrane. Higher phase
angles appear to be consistent with large quantities
of intact cell membranes and body cell mass.
All living substances have a phase angle, in
fresh uncooked vegetables phase angle can exceed
45 degrees. In cooked vegetables phase angle
is zero because they are dead.
Why
is Phase Angle Important?
Phase Angle is a predictor of out come
and indicates the course of disease or increases
as the result of optimal health based on good
nutrition and consistent exercise.
As we get older our phase angle will decrease
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:
1) Malnutrition
2) HIV/AIDS infection
3) Cancer (most types)
4) Abusive life style
5) Chronic Alcoholism
6) Old Age (80-100 years)
Good fitness and life style is the key to maintaining
a healthy Phase Angle.
Here is a sample
TEST of a Body Composition Report and a History
report showing improvement of Phase Angle.
Date Jan 3, 2002 Phase angle 6.1
Read graph from left to right:
FAT 84.3lbs - Body Fat - (Stored
Energy) Storage of potential energy or body
fat.
BCM 41.3lbs - Body Cell Mass - (Muscle
Mass) The burning of fat and nutrients then
converting it to work or kinetic energy.
ECM 49.4lbs - Extra cellular Mass - (Body
Fluid) The transportation of nutrients, waste
and fluids.
The Actual Fat in this graph is much to high
(30lbs), showing an imbalance between calorie
intake and calorie burned. Lab test show high
sugar in blood and high cholesterol . The body
is compensating energy intake that is unable
to use into storage, cholesterol and fat.
Date July 9, 2003 Phase Angle 6.8
FAT 79.3lbs Body Fat - (Stored Energy)
Storage of potential energy or body fat.
BCM 45.5lbs Body Cell Mass - (Muscle
Mass) The burning of fat and nutrients then
converting it to work or kinetic energy.
ECM 52.2lbs Extra cellular Mass - (Body
Fluid) The transportation of nutrients, waste
and fluids.
Much Improvement
both Phase Angle and Body Composition is better.
Phase angle went from (6.1) to (6.8) and
Fat from (30lbs) excess to (23lbs) excess. All
showing signs of improved energy flow throughout
the body.
Notice the difference
of Phase Angle improvement. Phase Angle went
from 5.5 to 6.8. This is indicative of improvement
in Body Composition, (Fat, BCM, ECM) and Energy
flow throughout the total body cells. This female
client is 77 years of age and has shown remarkable
improvement in one year from April 2000 to July
2003.
The BIA instrument
can objectively help us to understand visually
the effectiveness of our life style with projected
and historical graphs thereby helping increase
our motivation for a positive change. Knowing
how our Phase Angle and Body Composition (Fat,
BCM, ECM) is changing is important for working
at improving optimum health. We can also determine
the results of a health care professional's
recommendations. This is an excellent test that
is consistent and does not change unless we
do something to improve our own health. Our
body will heal itself if our life style is balanced,
(R.E.A.D.).
Apply what you learn on this web site and become
your own best Doctor.
Back
This document is
supplied for information and educational purposes
only. It is not intended to recommend or prescribe
any treatment for any condition or illness. Contact
a doctor or medical professional who is trained
in the use of natural nutritional supplements
before adding any new protocol or when starting
any health or exercise program.
Want
a career in natural health?
Work with us to help others. Distributor
Information
Better Health Thru Research
6827 Reuter
Dearborn MI., 48126
When requesting information, call
313-584-6208
guy@morewealthwithhealth.com
Last update:
06/04/2004
by ISI Ltd
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