Pro Performance

The health and fitness world, like many others, is prone to trends with people looking for shortcuts to the “next big thing.”  Unfortunately, very few people take (or even have) the time to investigate things thoroughly.  One catchphrase that has been getting a lot of use lately is Body Mass Index, or BMI.  Many people use the BMI formula to determine where their body composition is within a healthy range.

While people paying attention to their body composition is, of course, a very good thing, BMI, as it turns out, can be frighteningly inaccurate in certain circumstances.  Because BMI is calculated by an equation only containing the variables height and weight, other variables that may affect the results are not considered.  For example, someone with high bone density may have a BMI number that suggests they are overweight even though their body composition may be very healthy indeed.  This can also happen for someone who has a very high amount of lean muscle.  Similarly, someone with abnormally low lean muscle mass can show up in the healthy range, even though the makeup of their body is not that of a healthy person.

There are also other factors of a person’s body composition that need to be considered when measuring his or her overall health and fitness level.  For example, someone whose overall weight is within a normal range may still have an unhealthy or altered body composition.  This could be a high fat-to-lean ratio or they may have body fat that gravitates to specific areas of the body suggesting the presence of a hormonal imbalance.  These factors are not taken into account by the Body Mass Index.

All of this is not to say that the Body Mass Index does not have its uses – for some people, it can be a reasonable tool to obtain a (very) generalized idea of their health.  To get a more accurate and useful picture that can be acted on in a real and targeted way that can yield real results, it is important to get measurements not only of one’s weight, but also accurate measurements of overall body fat percentage and, specifically, where on the body that fat is stored. 

For more information on this, you can visit the Fat Loss And Health Optimization section of our website, or feel free to contact me directly.

As you no doubt already know, your body is made up of around 60-80% water.  As such, the importance of drinking plenty of water is plain for anyone to see.  Because the presence of water is so ubiquitous in every one of the body’s systems, it is important that the water we drink is free from toxins and harmful substances.

This need for clean, safe water has fueled the invention of manufacturing of dozens of products designed to remove impurities from our drinking water.  Unfortunately, some water purification devices, such as reverse osmosis systems, take things a little too far.  Reverse osmosis, like distillation, is extremely effective at removing substances from our water – the trouble is, it doesn’t discriminate between harmful substances and the vital minerals and trace elements our bodies need.  In its bid to achieve 100% pure H2O, reverse osmosis systems leave water stripped of virtually all vitality.

Two of the most important minerals that are stripped from water by reverse osmosis are calcium and magnesium.  According to a study comparing mineral content of tap and bottled waters, “Although many foods are now fortified with calcium (e.g., orange juice), naturally bioavailable Ca²⁺ is found almost exclusively in milk, milk products, and water. Drinking water may be a significant source of Ca²⁺, and Ca²⁺-rich mineral water may provide over one-third of the recommended dietary intake of this mineral in adults.”[1] While this is clearly important information for anyone, it is particularly vital for those who do not or cannot consume dairy products.

On magnesium, The United States Office of Dietary Supplements says, “Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis … There is an increased interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.”[2]  According to another study, “regular consumption of magnesium-rich mineral water could make a valuable contribution to magnesium requirements.”[3]

As many people who choose to drink purified water do so for health reasons, this is startling information.  While it is important to remove harmful substances from our drinking water, this must not be done at the expense of important minerals that our bodies need to function healthily.  If you are considering purchasing a water purification unit, make sure you are purchase one that ensures highly mineralized water.

Irish readers should take a look at our Santevia Water Purification System.