FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

QUESTION: I DID A FOLLOW UP SCAN AND I LOST MUSCLE AND GAINED FAT?

Answer :  There are various reasons this scenario can occur. Firstly, you should check whether your nutrition has been sufficient to meet your calorie requirements.

Conversely, it is also common for people to severely reduce calories and increase cardiovascular training in an effort to see significant and quick weight loss.  Severe calorie reductions will mostly see weight lost in skeletal muscle mass and increase in body fat if the training demands are too high.

This scenario can be common in people who commence HIIT style training with severe calorie restriction.

We recommend checking your macronutrient requirements using MyMacros on the Evolt Active App and testing with at least 2 weeks full adherence.

It is also important to check that you scanned under the exact same circumstances as you did previously ensuring the same food consumption, same hydration, same time of the day, same un-trained status, same medications and/or supplements and also the same week in the menstrual cycle (if you are female)

Essentially though, if results are not as expected, changes need to be made to either your training or nutrition protocols.  The beauty of being able to scan with Body Audit is the ease at which you can access on feedback on whether your nutrition and training is right for the goal you are trying to achieve.

QUESTION:  I LOOK LEAN BUT MY BODYFAT IS HIGH?

Answer:  Visible leanness does not always reflect an individual’s body fat percentage.  In other words, some individuals can look leaner than they actually are.  This can be for a number of reasons; however, one reason could be due to the fact that the high body fat is made up of significantly high visceral fat mass which is the fat that surrounds internal organs.  As you cannot see visceral fat visually, this can sometimes be the reason that some people can look leaner than they think.

It is important to assess consistency in readings and under the following conditions –

  • First thing in the morning after emptying the bladder if possible
  • In a fasted state (i.e. no food)
  • Well hydrated
  • No consumption of caffeine or caffeine-containing supplements.
  • No training or activity that raises body temperature

Despite body fat reading higher than expected by the individual, the validity and reliability of the Evolt 360 will provide consistency in progressive readings.

 

QUESTION: WHY DOES MY WEIGHT AND BODY FAT FLUCTUATE THROUGHOUT THE DAY?

Answer:  Body composition metrics will fluctuate throughout the day due to changes in blood volume, hydration, gut contents and body temperature.  This is why a standardized protocol for scanning must always be adhered to ensure consistency of scanning results.  Scanning in the morning will differ from scanning in the afternoon or night due to all of these changes that occur.

QUESTION:  I AM AN ENDURANCE ATHLETE, WHY IS MY VISCERAL FAT HIGH?

Answer:  In some instances, individuals who have significant training loads such as an endurance athlete can sometimes be in an over-trained state and cannot ingest enough nutrients to compensate for the activity expended which can result in hormonal shifts, inflammatory conditions which results in reduced skeletal muscle mass.

Whilst high visceral fat can be attributed to a number of different variables, some endurance athletes can have a higher visceral fat due to an increase in cortisol production and break down of skeletal muscle mass.  Other factors could be genetic in nature, however, unless an individual has scanned using BIA technology or performed a DEXA scan, they would essentially be unaware of their visceral fat level.

QUESTION: WHAT IS BIA TECHNOLOGY?

Answer:  The Evolt 360 uses a scientifically validated test known as Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). It is considered the fastest, non-invasive method of screening total body composition.

Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA) works by passing a safe, low intensity electrical current through the body via the tactical points on the machine (feet and hands). In very basic terms, the resistance to flow of the current determines the difference between muscle mass, fat mass (including visceral and subcutaneous), water and mineral.

QUESTION: IS THE BIA SCANNER SAFE TO USE?

Answer:  Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis has been used in medicine for many years and is safe to use as it does not use any form of radiation.

QUESTION:  WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MINERAL CONTENT AND BONE DENSITY?

Answer:  Bone Mineral Content refers to the calculation of the weight of the bone mineral which can be established via BIA readings.  Bone Mineral Density refers to the density of the bone which can establish a diagnosis of conditions such as Osteoporosis, treatments relating to osteoporosis or risk of fracture injuries.  Bone Mineral Density tests are performed by a qualified radiographer using a DEXA scan.

QUESTION: HOW DO MEDICATIONS AFFECT YOUR RESULT?

Answer:   Whilst it is important to always scan under the exact same conditions for consistency and repeatability, there are a number of medications that can alter a scan result where the medications significantly change hydration status, blood volume and temperature changes.  The most notable being –

  • Medications that influence ICW / ECW (intracellular water • & extracellular water) and Nitrogen retention – influence interpretation of protein/mineral measures, soft lean mass etc. Creatine, anabolics, beta 3 agonists, peptides etc will influence the result.
  • Hydration status – as in euhydrated in this case and
    influence of things like caffeine intake, pre-workouts,
    diuretics, thermogenics. (dehydrated normally • overestimates body fat).
  • Other medications that may influence blood volume
    including things like Metal Plates, Pins & Gut contents. •
  • Water Compartmentalization including Sodium • and Potassium (intracellular electrolyte) retention particularly from the use of diuretic medications.
    • Iron status – anaemia vs hemochromatosis – high ferritin = increase red blood cell mass = increase blood viscosity = influence BIA interpretation of total body water and lean body mass – as in register higher soft tissue and total body water, therefore, may result in reduced measure of total body fat etc (anaemia may do opposite).
    • Drugs that increase blood flow via vasoconstriction – changes blood volume and ECW / TBW ratio which influences the interpretation of fat mass.
  • Stimulants (Ritalin, Dexedrine, Adderall).
  • Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed).

QUESTION: WILL EATING A MEAL BEFORE THE SCAN AFFECT MY RESULTS?

Answer:  Consuming food will show a minor change in your scan result.  It is always best practice to scan on an empty stomach, however, you can still scan after eating a meal, so long as you re-scan under the exact same conditions each time you scan.

QUESTION:  HOW CAN I VIEW MY SCAN RESULT ONLINE?

Answer:  Once you have completed the scan process you will receive an email.  If it is not in your inbox do a search as it may be in Junk/Spam or a different folder.  Click on the link, activate your account and create a password.  You can download the Evolt Active App on your phone or you can access your results just online.  When you sign into Evolt Active. Your result will be displayed on the “Scan Stats” on your “Profile”.

QUESTION:  WHAT IS EVOLT ACTIVE APP?

Answer:  Evolt Active is the smart, progressive way to track your body composition progress. View immediate insights about your body and receive instant feedback to see how your exercise and nutritional choices affect your goals. The app stores unlimited body scans in ‘easy to read’ progress graphs and charts. The app has an intuitive calorie and macronutrient calculator based on your body composition and individual goals.  Evolt Active is your personal GPS guide to your body composition goals.   Visit Evolt Active www.evoltactive.com to find out more.

QUESTION:  WHAT ARE MACRONUTRIENTS?

Answer:  Macronutrients are energy-providing chemical substances consumed by organisms in large quantities. The three macronutrients in nutrition are carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Everybody has an individual macronutrient profile depending on their body composition.

QUESTION:  HOW CAN I VIEW MY MACRO’S?

Answer: To view your Macro’s you must log into your Evolt Active app. Everytime you scan your result will automatically fire to your Evolt Active.  Head to the “Profile” section and view your individualized macro profile under the “My Macro’s tab”

Disclaimer: The EVOLT technology used to determine Body Composition is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace the educated judgment of a healthcare professional. Body composition test results are for reference purposes only and are not intended to substitute advice given by a physician, pharmacist, or other licensed health-care professional. You should not use this information as self-diagnosis or for treating a health problem or disease. Contact your health-care provider immediately if you suspect that you have a medical problem.