The importance of having ideal bodyfat percentages cannot be preached on enough. Bodyfat is in my opinion the largest contributor to the appearance that an individual is after. There are a multitude of ways to get your actual bodyfat percentage figured but for the importance of this piece we’re going to talk about the bodyfat caliper and how by using a caliper it can give you some real insight as to the inner workings of your own body.
So let’s talk bodyfat for a quick minute, having high levels of bodyfat can create a negative effect on the hormones that circulate in your blood. Why is this important? Well these negative effects on hormones in your blood contribute largely to the development of such things as diabetes, obesity and heart problems. Having excess fat levels produces hormone-like inflammatory proteins called cytokines that makes these diseases more probable.
Although, the calipers are behind hydrostatic weighing in terms of accuracy, the calipers however, do provide a reliable means of bodyfat measurement at a fraction of the cost. In addition, what I like about using the calipers is that they can give you some great insight to to particular things about your body that can aid in helping you lose bodyfat faster.
There exists a relationship between skin fold measurements and hormone levels. People with similar hormone profiles tend to hold bodyfat in the same areas of the body and so, by getting your bodyfat checked with a caliper and then considering the findings you can take a smarter approach to ridding yourself of this unwanted adipose tissue. Take this example for instances, if you have a high skin fold in the abdominal area you are likely to have elevated levels of cortisol and stress. So a sound approach to bodyfat elimination would be to eliminate stress, find ways of improving sleep, increase protein and to suppress cortisol.
Other areas tested with the calipers and what they can tell you are as followed:
High Suprailic Measurement– You have an elevated carbohydrate intake, Try to reduce carbs or implement nutrient timing strategies.
High Subscapular Measurement – Insulin sensitivity; Look to supplement with fish oil (speak with doctor about fish oil prior to use if you are on blood thinners)
High Chest Measurement – You have lower levels of testosterone; make sure that calories are adequate and that your diet has enough dietary fat.
High Triceps and/or Thigh Measurement – Look for ways to reduce estrogen levels (why this is a common problem with women); up your intake of green, fibrous vegetables and exercise more.
So there you have it, as much as it might be the news or numbers that you don’t want to hear or know, getting your bodyfat checked really can be a great way to put into perspective certain things about your diet and lifestyle that might need addressing.
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Regards,
SC
Callahan Strong 