Body Composition Analysis: Why It Matters for Overall Health—Not Just Aesthetics
A single number on the bathroom scale can’t reveal how fat, muscle, and metabolism work together to influence energy, hormones, and long-term disease risk. Two people may weigh the same but differ greatly in fat distribution and muscle mass—differences that drive very different health outcomes. Body composition analysis through bioelectric impedance analysis offers a far more complete picture.
How Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Works at Restore
Body composition testing uses bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)—a safe, quick, and non-invasive technology. A low, painless electrical current passes through the body. Different tissues (ie. muscle, fat etc) conduct the current in distinct ways. By measuring this resistance, the analyzer calculates different readings such as weight, percent body fat, skeletal muscle mass and visceral fat.
These measurements are the foundation for more detailed insights. The values are used and applied to validated formulas to estimate values such as basal metabolic rate (BMR), body fat mass, waist-hip ratio, and an overall composition score. Together, they create a baseline and a way to track meaningful progress over time.
Why the Four Core Measurements Matter
Skeletal Muscle Mass
Muscle is a true metabolic powerhouse. It absorbs and stores most of the glucose from meals, helping keep blood sugar steady. Healthy muscle mass supports a strong resting metabolism, and it releases anti-inflammatory signals (myokines) that benefit the heart, brain, and immune system. Maintaining adequate muscle also protects bone density, preserves strength and mobility, and aids recovery from everyday stress or illness.
Visceral Fat Level
Visceral fat is the type of body fat stored deep inside the abdominal cavity, surrounding vital organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines. This type of fat can drive disease:
Disrupts blood sugar control, by driving insulin resistance and increasing risk for type 2 diabetes
Raises blood pressure and harmful lipids, adding strain on the heart and blood vessels and increasing risk of heart attack or stroke
Promotes chronic inflammation, linked to conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, certain cancers, and cognitive decline
Disrupts hormonal balance, aggravating PMS, PCOS, and menopausal changes.
Weight
Weight is the anchor measurement for a full body composition analysis. It is used to calculate related metrics and interpretations such as basal metabolic rate or body fat mass.
Percent Body Fat
Total fat percentage affects more than appearance. Too much body fat contributes to insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, and hormone imbalance. Too little can disrupt ovulation, thyroid function, and bone density.
Build a Health Roadmap with Restore
Body composition analysis is now included in all comprehensive initial visits and offered complimentary at your next follow-up for existing patients. Stand-alone testing is also available for anyone wishing to monitor fat, muscle, and metabolic trends over time.
Discover what your scale can’t show. Book a body composition assessment with Restore to understand—and track—how fat, muscle, and metabolism are shaping your long-term health.
References
PMID: 15380917
PMID: 21555168
PMID: 18332882
PMID: 24561114
PMID: 22949540
