Fitnescity Magazine
Dr. Peter Attia has gained prominence over the last few years through his work in longevity science, metabolic health, and the optimization of human performance. He’s the author of Outlive, and focuses on using applied science of longevity to help his patients live longer and better lives. Dr. Attia has covered the importance of the DEXA scans and the VO2 Max on his book, blog, and podcasts. In this article, we will look at Peter Attia’s work more closely, while zooming on how to use the DEXA scan and the VO2 Max to assess and improve both longevity and healthspan.
One of the biggest research areas in the medical industry involves understanding mortality and identifying methods to expand the human lifespan. Researchers and health experts have used several markers over the years. Body Mass Index remained a common choice, but it had too many limitations that affected the accuracy of the predictions made. As DEXA scans continue to gain traction, researchers are turning to AI to predict all-cause mortality based on body composition instead of simply relying on BMI.
One of the biggest challenges in the medical industry is reversing the aging process. Experts measure your “real” age, which is different from your chronological age, in several ways, focusing on longevity and overall wellness. One of the increasingly common tools is the VO2 max, but how exactly does aging impact this measurement, and what can we do to improve it?
Understanding your body composition is key to successful weight loss, weight management, or optimal athletic performance. Nowadays, various body composition tests are available. You’ve probably seen blogs or social media posts discussing these tests. But, are they worth it? You’ll find the answer in this post.
Oxygen is one of the most important elements of life. When you exercise, your body uses oxygen to function properly and ensure your performance is optimal. The more oxygen your body can use, the better, as this means you can perform at your best. When measuring just how well your body is using oxygen, VO2 Max is often considered an ideal indicator.
Losing excess weight is incredibly important for your health. It helps you reduce health risks, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. However, calorie restriction often causes you to lose more than just fat mass. Loss of bone health can be detrimental to your overall health, quality of life, and longevity. A new JAMA Network journal entry suggests that a combination of exercise and GLP-1 medication helps preserve bone health during the weight loss process.
If you’re on GLP-1 medication, it’s important to know how to effectively use DEXA scans. This can ensure you lose weight successfully and safely. DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan is a medical imaging technology that measures bone density and body composition. It is the gold standard for understanding body composition. Doctors are increasingly viewing weight as a poor measure of health. DEXA can more accurately assess health status and risks by focusing on muscle mass, fat mass, visceral fat, and bone density.
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DEXA, is considered the gold standard for measuring bone mineral density and is also used to analyze body composition. But how accurate is this scan? Read on to learn more about the accuracy and precision of DEXA.
While VO2 Max is really helpful for people who are professional athletes or sports players, it’s important to understand that the average person can also benefit from the measurement. The test itself may take some time, but when you implement VO2 Max as part of your overall health program, it can be incredibly valuable. However, we’re not talking just about knowing what your VO2 Max is as a measurement of health, but also as a way to get healthier.
In the healthcare sector, one of the most widely discussed topics is longevity. Scientists and medical professionals have long been researching ways to potentially increase a person’s lifespan. One of the key factors in extending the lifespan of a person is to understand their current health.
DEXA scans are primarily used to help detect a person’s bone mineral density. However, recently, the usage cases for these scans have evolved, and people are now even using DEXA scans to help them better understand their body composition and overall health. Most recently, there has been some interest in whether DEXA scans could potentially detect cancer.
Obesity is considered a pandemic, and the rates are steadily climbing. When excess weight poses health risks, doctors sometimes use Ozempic or other weight loss drugs to intervene. While these drugs are effective when combined with a good weight loss program, there are still important questions to ask.
This includes whether or not Ozempic is actually able to reduce visceral fat and not just fat in general. This article explores the dangers of visceral fat and considers current evidence on whether or not Ozempic is effective for this purpose.
The traditional way of monitoring your weight includes getting on a scale and seeing a number appear in pounds or kilograms. BMI was developed as a way to get a better idea of a person’s body mass index using a person’s weight and height. While it has been used for over a hundred years, emerging evidence suggests that BMI is not an accurate measurement of health and body weight, especially for people who want to monitor their progress when trying to lose excess weight.
Obesity has reached a point where it’s considered a pandemic. According to research, more than half of the global population is trying to lose weight at any given point in time. When obesity poses a health risk, doctors and patients can work together to reduce weight. In some cases, weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy will be used. The metrics that doctors rely on to determine the success of these weight loss drugs is usually BMI and body weight, but there are limitations to these metrics. The DEXA scan is a much better alternative to get a more detailed picture of the progress, specifically when it comes to preventing muscle loss and potential decrease in bone density.
Weight-loss drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic) have become popular solutions for people who want to maximize their results. While these drugs can promote weight loss, body composition, which refers to the breakdown of lean mass and fat mass, may suffer. If you’re considering weight loss drugs, you may want to combine them with a DEXA scan. Why? Read on to find out.
Technology is advancing to the point where it’s now easier than ever to see just how effective a workout program or weight loss strategy is. With the introduction of DEXA scans in this market, you can get access to a broad range of data points that show everything from your body composition to your visceral fat mass. A DEXA scan is also known as a dual x-ray absorptiometry scan. It passes both low-energy and high-energy X-rays through your body.
What is Appendicular Lean Mass Index (ALMI)? Appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) is a measurement used in body composition analysis to describe the amount of lean muscle mass in the appendicular skeleton, which includes your arms and legs. ALMI is important for general health and longevity. It can be measured with the DEXA Scan.
You’re taking weight-loss drugs, or thinking about it, and want to know how much muscle you lost in the process? The easiest way to find out is to do a DEXA Scan with Fitnescity. Research found that 40% of weight people lose with Wegovy accounts for lean mass. With a DEXA scan and with the proper lifestyle modifications (exercise, increased protein intake), you can prevent muscle loss.
If you’ve been keeping up with the world of fitness, you’ve definitely seen the term VO2 Max before. After being used for decades to help athletes get a better view of their cardiovascular fitness and endurance, the VO2 Max is now becoming gradually mainstream. If you’ve measured your VO2 Max or if you have an estimate from your smart watch, you might be wondering what you can do to increase your number. Here’s what you need to know.
VO2 Max, which is the maximum rate of oxygen consumption attainable during exercise, is known to be a good indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness and exercise performance. However, recent research shows that VO2 Max is also closely linked to longevity. In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between VO2 Max and longevity.
If you've previously done a DEXA Scan and received Bone Mineral Density (BMD) results, you may be wondering how you can improve bone density. Bone mineral density tends to deplete with age, but lifestyle factors can exacerbate the process. However, it is possible to increase bone density. While we always recommend that you follow up with your doctor when it comes to bone health, here are some general tips.
We've previously covered "What Causes Visceral Fat?” and “What Are The Dangers Of Visceral Fat?” Here's what you need to know about reducing Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT):
Is there an acceptable amount of VAT?
How can you measure Visceral Fat?
How to reduce Visceral Fat
The key to strong bones, improved muscle tone, and reduced fat percentage is lifestyle modifications and a good training program. In order to make that happen, it’s necessary to gain a detailed insight into your body composition. That’s where the DEXA scan steps in. Read on to learn what DEXA is and how it works. When you are ready, visit Fitnescity, the national leader in DEXA Scan and VO2 Max testing.
The show uses a DEXA machine to get a more scientific, data-driven perspective on the impact of these dietary choices. You Are What You Eat brought the DEXA scan under the spotlight, and now a lot of people are interesting in experimenting with these scans themselves. Here's how you can design your own experiments.
The biggest misconception about body fat is that it’s always dangerous and unhealthy. Certain levels of VAT are important because they help protect your organs, surround important blood vessels, and supply blood to abdominal organs. As it cushions the organs, VAT can prevent damage. However, too much VAT is not good for you and may lead to major health problems. Since it can actively increase the risk of health problems, visceral adipose tissue is often referred to as “active fat.” Here are some of the dangers of Visceral Fat.
Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a type of fat that is located in the abdominal cavity and wraps around organs such as the intestines, pancreas, and liver. It is called visceral fat because this fat is close to viscera, i.e., internal organs. The abdominal area is quite stubborn. Most people struggle to lose weight in this specific area and find it difficult to tone their stomachs. Excess fat in the abdominal region results from various factors.
Losing muscle when you are attempting to lose weight can affect your health negatively. When it comes to weight loss, it’s important to strive to reach your ideal weight without compromising strong lean muscle. But since increasing muscle mass can in itself lead to weight gain, can you really build muscle while losing weight, and how can you do so?
Hit Netflix Documentary “You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment” is creating a big divide between proponents of a plant-based diet and the rest of the world. The documentary is based on a Stanford study that follows 22 sets of genetically identical twins as they go on opposing diets: ominvore and vegan. Amid this debate, many viewers decided to conduct their own experiments, including through the use of the DEXA scan.
New Netflix docuseries, You Are What You Eat, showcases the DEXA scan in a twin experiment. The four-series documentary is based on an 8-week study led by Stanford University’s Christopher D. Gardner. The study puts 22 sets of genetically identical twins on opposing diets and measures progress. Once of the first tests that that TV show highlights at the beginning of the show is the DEXA scan.
Here are the DEXA scan metrics that Dr. Peter Attia uses for his longevity framework:
Visceral Fat
Bone Mineral Density
Muscle Mass
Lean Tissue: Appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI)
For a limited time, refer a friend and you will both receive a copy of Peter Attia’s book.