What is a DEXA scan? DEXA is Dual X-ray Absorptiometry, and uses a low level of radiation to determine your body composition.
Is it expensive? These scans have typically been close to $200, but at least for the time being, Live Lean in Nashville (and soon Chattanooga) is offering DEXA scans for $75, for a limited time. They also offer VO2 Max and RMR (resting metabolic rate) testing. https://liveleanrx.com/locations/nashville-tn
Why would I get a DEXA scan for body composition? It is an objective measure of the components (such as fat, muscle, bone) that you are made of. This information can allow you to better understand your current status, and enact change when needed. For many, it can motivate them to take on behaviors and activities which improve body composition. As with everything else, You can’t manage what you don’t measure!
Body composition through DEXA scan allows the individual to determine,and then track several items which are predictive of health.
#1 The percent of your body which is composed of fat, lean (mostly muscle) and bone mass.
#2 Obtain composition of each area of your body for these items.
#3 Understand how much visceral fat you have around your abdominal organs, as this is metabolically active in a bad way, and if elevated increases risk of diabetes, heart disease, malignancy, and non-alcoholic fatty liver among others
#4 Have at least a screening for osteopenia/osteoporosis. It isn’t exactly the same test as a DEXA focused just on bone, but it is indicative and trackable.
A word on visceral fat:
Each individual has a personal threshold of how much fat they can store subcutaneously. Once this is exceeded, the fat goes into the abdominal cavity and even around the heart, and this is where we see major increases in type 2 diabetes, cholesterol, heart disease and cancers to name a few. In men, the threshold is less, however, in women, once estrogen levels drop with menopause, the threshold is dropped for them also. This is felt to be why women often develop increased abdominal girth around menopause, with subcutaneous fat migrating and becoming visceral fat, with all of the bad metabolic consequences. This is also why we think women trail behind in a number of bad metabolic health outcomes as compared to men, but then have these outcomes escalate post menopause. Visceral fat is something critically important to measure, and manage.
The Process of having a DEXA:
Arrive at the office, wearing light clothes with no metallic items on you or your clothes, and wear socks. No fasting required. Check-in procedure for me and my wife took 5 minutes. It was as simple as laying down on the table/imaging area on the DEXA scanner, and a thin piece of metal, doing the scan slowly moves down your body over about 10 minutes. It is open, and not anything that would be an issue for claustrophobic individuals.
Results available in minutes - and a discussion with the staff on how to interpret this, and possible goals. For our patients, we would like to discuss the results with you, and sort out goals and timing for repeat imaging.
We have a pretty decent scale - or so we thought, which uses bioelectrical impedance analysis. https://myhumehealth.com/products/the-body-pod We were hoping it was a pretty good proxy for a DEXA. Well, I wish it was, as both of us had dramatically different results on DEXA than on the Hume Body Pod. Some items were 100% different, it would be like not knowing if your systolic blood pressure was 110 mmHg or 220 mmHg. Everything from body fat to bone was completely off on the home device. Essentially, a nice scale to weigh oneself, but the impedance and other technology is not useful at all. I suspect the same will be the case for other similar devices.
What have we learned here?
You cannot manage what you don’t measure
It’s important to understand body composition and manage this if you plan to optimize your health and live long and healthy
This can be motivating, but is for many, a cost effective way to motivate change, address areas of concern, and remeasure in 3-6 months
Disclaimer:
This blog provides general education only and should not be used to diagnose or replace the advice of a qualified medical professional.
This content is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with a qualified and licensed physician or another medical provider.
Readers should consult a medical professional for advice, diagnosis and treatment relating to their individual case.
You should discuss any supplement/medication being considered with your medical professional before starting it.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission if you click on the links of the products and make a purchase.
Credit:
Special thanks to Quentin Mcnabb, co-owner of Live Lean Nashville for assistance in some of the materials for this blog. He can be reached at quentin@liveleanrx.com
Note on pricing per Quentin. The DEXA is normally $150, right now $75. RMR - normally $150, right now $95. VO2 max - normally $150, right now $125. Package pricing available.
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