InBody: Pawsitive Nutrition Steps Up!

InBody: Pawsitive Nutrition Steps Up! - Introducing Our Innovative New Machine

The information here serves educational purposes and is not medical advice. Only certified medical and health professionals are qualified to diagnose patients and provide such advice.

What does the InBody do?

Measuring weight can be approached in several ways, each with unique advantages and limitations. Traditional scales offer quick and accessible readings of body weight but do not measure body composition. Hydro-densitometry, or underwater weighing, assesses body composition by measuring body density through water displacement. Though highly accurate, this method is not practical for everyday use. Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone density and body composition but is costly and typically available only in medical settings. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), a method used in InBody machines and some advanced home scales, sends a weak electrical current through the body to gauge resistance, helping estimate body composition.¹

An InBody machine provides a more comprehensive analysis, particularly valuable for individuals focused on fitness goals, body composition, or detailed health monitoring. The InBody machine offers a non-invasive assessment of muscle mass, water content, bone mass, and body fat percentage. In just 15-20 seconds, it uses multi-frequency BIA to differentiate between intracellular and extracellular water, yielding more accurate measurements of body composition.²

What is body composition?

Body composition tools measure the breakdown of fat mass and fat-free mass (bone, muscle/lean, water) in your body.³This information can give a clearer picture of your overall health and fitness than body weight alone. It can also help to better understand your nutrition, health, and risk for certain diseases. While some body fat is essential for good health, body fat in excess may increase your risk of developing serious conditions including diabetes and heart disease.⁴

Body water composition is divided into two main types: intracellular fluid (ICF) within cells and extracellular fluid (ECF) outside cells. Balancing your body's water levels is key. Your body's fluids should ideally have a 3:2 ratio of ICF to ECF. An imbalance can reflect health changes depending on which type of water is affected: An increase in ICF can be a positive sign, often indicating more muscle mass. This happens because muscle cells expand with exercise, allowing them to absorb more water to support cell functions. In contrast, if your ECF increases, it can be a red flag. Higher levels of ECF can signal health risks, such as inflammation or excess fat mass, where water is pulled out of cells due to bodily systems reacting.⁵

Focusing on body weight can be misleading since scales do not distinguish between fat and fat-free mass. For example, a person that engages in minimal movement or exercise might gain fat and lose muscle without their weight changing much. On the other hand, someone who exercises might not see a big weight change but could still be losing fat and gaining muscle. A body composition analysis helps identify these changes that regular scales cannot capture. Your results will be explained, and this test can be a valuable tool to track progress when starting or adjusting an exercise or diet plan.⁴

How are body composition and nutrition interconnected?

Let’s break down how our body functions in simple terms to help you better understand the powerful connection between body composition and nutrition.

Imagine your body as a machine, and within this machine are workers that keep everything running smoothly. These workers are divided into three groups, known as macronutrients: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Each needs a certain proportion of your diet to function optimally. Carbohydrates should ideally account for 45-65% of intake, proteins 10-35%, and fats 20-35%. These percentages ensure that the workers have what they need to do their jobs well.

Caloric intake also plays a role in body composition. Energy needs vary from person to person, but a general guideline for weight maintenance is to multiply body weight in kilograms by 25-30 calories. Getting enough energy is crucial, whether you want to lose, maintain, or gain weight. Undereating can lead to weight gain because your body goes into starvation mode, slowing down metabolism. This is why body composition and nutrition are interconnected: the macronutrients we consume fuel our bodies and support their composition, helping us achieve our health and fitness goals.⁶

References

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