Bioimpedance

Bioimpedance, or BIA screening, provides the health care practitioner with a noninvasive tool for objectively monitoring body composition, hydration and cell vitality. It is an important part of any comprehensive health and nutrition assessment. A normal balance of body fat to lean body mass is associated with good health and longevity. Too much fat in relation to lean body mass can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other metabolic diseases. BIA screening allows for earlier intervention and helps the practitioner develop and prioritize nutrition and health strategies. Bioimpedance refers to the electrical properties of a biological tissue measured when current flows through it. This impedance varies with different tissue types and the microscopic anatomy of the tissue. To measure BIA, a weak electric current is passed through the body and resistance/reactance is measured within seconds. The various tissues receive the current, which travels through them to affect the final measurement, resulting in estimates of phase angle, fat, fat-free (muscle) mass, and intra- and extra-cellular water. Thus BIA provides information about nutrition status, sodium/potassium balance, fluid status in the body, and overall cellular health.