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Body Composition Assessment

Whole Body Health Monitoring: A deeper Look at your Health

Body Composition & Cellular Health Assessment with Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy (BIS)

Beyond the Scale: Understanding Your Health More Deeply

Have you ever felt like the number on the scale doesn’t truly reflect your health? Or heard that the Body Mass Index (BMI) may no longer be the most reliable tool for assessing overall well-being? If so, it might be time to consider a Body Composition & Cellular Health Assessment using a Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy (BIS) device.

The BIS is a TGA-approved medical device that offers a quick, accurate, and non-invasive way to measure your body composition, hydration levels, and nutritional status. These insights can help develop a personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan while tracking your health progress over time.

What Does the BIS Assessment Measure?

The BIS provides an in-depth look at several key health markers, including:

Body Composition

  • Body Fat % and weight
  • Muscle Mass % and weight
  • Total Body Water, including:
    • Intracellular Water (hydration inside cells)
    • Extracellular Water (hydration outside cells)
    • Over-hydration (fluid retention)

Cellular Health

  • Cell Membrane Capacitance (CMC) – Assesses the quality and integrity of cell membranes.
  • Phase Angle – A clinically validated marker of cell function and overall health.
  • Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) – Measures the rate at which your metabolism burns energy at rest, guiding minimum dietary intake requirements.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

A BIS Assessment takes approximately 30 minutes. Here’s what you can expect:

  1. Pre-Assessment Check: Your details and suitability for the test will be confirmed for safety purposes.
  2. Measurements Taken: Your height, weight, waist and hip measurements, and daily activity level will be recorded.
  3. Stabilisation Period: You’ll lie down for about five minutes to allow fluid levels to stabilise for accurate readings.
  4. Electrode Placement: You will remain clothed for the assessment, only your right hand and foot will need to be exposed for electrode placement. Please advise if you are sensitive to alcohol wipes.
  5. Quick Test & Immediate Results: The test takes just a few minutes, and your report is generated on the spot.
  6. Results Discussion: We’ll go over your report briefly, and a detailed guide will be emailed to you afterward.

Post-Assessment

After your appointment, you will receive via email:

A support guide explaining how to interpret your report.

A comprehensive report outlining your results.

Who Is the BIS Assessment For?

This assessment is suitable for individuals aged 6 and above, especially those who:

  • Want to track their health progress over time.
  • Are actively working to improve their health and lifestyle.

Are managing chronic health conditions affecting body composition (e.g., cachexia, sarcopenia, lymphedema, coeliac disease, irritable bowel disease). Note: It’s important to stay in regular contact with your medical team and share your results with them for their ongoing support and advice.

Who Should Not Take This Test?

The BIS assessment is not recommended for individuals who:

  • Have osteoporosis or other bone density conditions (best monitored via a DEXA scan).
  • Have a pacemaker or implantable electronic device (metal implants, such as pins in bones, do not affect the test).
  • Are currently pregnant.

Important Pre-Test Guidelines

To ensure the most accurate results, please follow these guidelines:

  • Do not eat or drink at least 2 hours before the test (stay hydrated beforehand).
  • Avoid exercise for 12 hours prior.
  • No alcohol or caffeine 24 hours before testing.
  • Be aware that menstrual cycle variations and kidney conditions may affect results.
  • Certain medications (especially diuretics) may impact hydration status.
  • Excess hair on wrists and ankles can interfere with readings—if possible, shaving the area is advised.
  • If you plan to re-test, try to book at the same time of day/month to ensure consistent results.

A Holistic Approach to Health

While the BIS assessment provides valuable insights, it is not a diagnostic or treatment tool. For a comprehensive health evaluation, it is recommended that BIS testing be conducted alongside a 1:1 Clinical Nutrition Consultation. This allows for:

  • A full health history review.
  • An assessment of current symptoms, illnesses, medications, and supplements.
  • A diet and lifestyle evaluation to create a tailored health plan.

New patients can book a 1:1 Clinical Nutrition Consultation, while existing patients (seen within the last six months) can schedule a follow-up consultation.

Ready to Take Your Health to the Next Level?

Book your BIS Assessment and Clinical Nutrition Consultation today to gain a clearer, more accurate picture of your health beyond just numbers on a scale. Your journey to optimal health starts from within!

Still Have Questions?

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for your personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. It should not be considered as medical or professional advice. We recommend you consult with a GP or other healthcare professional before taking or omitting to take any action based on this blog. While the author uses best endeavours to provide accurate and true content, the author makes no guarantees or promises and assumes no liability regarding the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information presented. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this blog are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this blog is done at your own risk. Any third-party materials or content of any third-party site referenced in this blog/article/handout do not necessarily reflect the author’s opinion, standards or policies and the author does not assume any liability for them whatsoever. 

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