STYKU 3D BODY SCANNER

Styku is a 3D body scanner that is the latest in high tech body fat testing. This innovative fitness tool delivers millions of measurements with a margin of error that is less than 1%, to create a 3D image of your body in only 30 seconds. It does a lot more than just take measurements, it analyzes the measurements to determine your body fat percentage, lean muscle, bone density, and even identify your risk for certain health conditions.

An accurate body fat measurement is beneficial for ensuring body fat is in optimal range for overall health and addressing health concerns about:
Regulating blood sugar (lower diabetes risk)
Improving heart health (lower heart attack/ stroke risk)
Decrease joint pain
Increasing energy levels

Using the body fat reduction calculator, we can set realistic targets and calculate goals for daily calorie intake. This can be adjusting also, if you are looking to build muscle or gain weight.

Once the 3D model of your body is made, Styku uses advanced technology (DEXA technology) in feature recognition to identify specific base point such as your waist, hips, and bust. It analyzes that information to create measurements including volume, circumferences, and surface areas so that you get a more accurate, detailed picture of the size and shape you really are – not the distorted, usually larger version that our minds often trick us into believing.

How Accurate is Styku 3D Scanner?
As for Styku, a study at the University of North Dakota found their reliability to be “nearly perfect” for measuring circumferences, surface areas and volumes of the body.
Three-dimensional body scanning technologies create millions of data points across the human body for precise measurement. Typically, these technologies can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
3D measurements can provide better indicators of health, fitness and physical performance than can measurements such as lengths or circumferences. As databases of 3D scans grow, researchers can start to look at new shape indices, or measures that can translate to understanding peak performance or recovery from injury

When you do a Styku body scan it will provide you information to help you better understand your body and what is going on inside it.  Other Benefits include:

-3D model of your body which is more accurate than photographs
-Measures body fat percentage, BMI, body volume, and BMR
-Assesses your waist to hip ratio to help determine certain health risks
-Measurements at more than 20 points all over your body
-Completely safe and non-invasive
-Appropriate for all ages and fitness levels
Assesses posture
-Provides data that is transferable for various uses including physical therapy, tailor measurements, etc.
-Is affordable
-Track your fat loss goals
-Monitor your changing body shape as you lose weight
-Track your fitness level
-The ultimate wellness tool An great feature is the

Posture analysis. This Reveals imbalances in muscle symmetry and strength, flexibility, and joint mechanics. These can hinder exercising and cause pain. This information can be useful for your chiropractor or even physio therapist.

If your interested to see yourself in 3D, and view ways to improve your overall health, Styku can help. Book your Appointment today and see yourself in 3D!

Body Composition: Fat vs Muscle

You have been working so hard, putting in the blood, sweat, and tears… but the scale isn’t moving, or it’s going in the opposite direction you want.
UGH!!

I see this time and time again with clients, and even my past self. It can get frustrating and can crush your motivation.

Let’s break it down.
Your body weight is simply your body’s Total Mass. Body composition is what your weight is made of—muscle, bone, water & fat. It is essentially dissecting exactly what you’re made up of.

The most important thing to remember is that although fat and muscle may weigh the same, muscle is significantly denser than body fat. Fat will have a greater volume and the muscle fibers will have a greater density. This means that 15 pounds of muscle takes up much less space & looks smaller than 15 pounds of fat.

Just because you aren’t losing pounds doesn’t mean you aren’t losing fat. You are most likely experiencing changes in water weight, or potentially gaining muscle and losing fat at the same time.

The higher your percentage body fat, especially visceral fat that lines the organs in your abdomen, the greater your risk for developing nutrition related chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. This is where body composition testing can help you get a better idea of your overall health.

The Styku 3D scanner can help calm the confusion and help you better understand what is going on INSIDE your body. It does full body measurements, scans body fat, lean muscle, bone density, and much more.

Not only can Sarah help you down the path of developing a healthy lifestyle, and incorporating a healthier diet, but with the Styku she can help give you the bigger picture of what is going on inside you, along with your overall health.

Why You Shouldn’t Avoid Strength Training While Losing Weight

There is a huge misconception that you shouldn’t lift weights when going through a weight loss phase. Not only is it believed to stunt your results, but it’s actually thought to be counterproductive.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Strength training/weight lifting can be greatly beneficial for fat loss.
Why? Because it builds up lean muscle, increases the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), and increases the speed of your metabolism.

It is agreed that cardiovascular exercise is probably a better candidate for general caloric expenditure during the workout – the keyword here being ‘during’. Strength training is universally more effective at burning total calories and fat overall.

Let me explain… By increasing muscle mass, you increase the BMR. In its simplest terms, a higher BMR equates to more calories being burned in the space of 24-48 hours.

Why is this beneficial for weight loss?

Through building lean muscle and increasing your BMR, you inevitably burn more calories at rest throughout the day AND increase your overall caloric deficit – a necessity for weight loss. This is what is known as Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC).

Still not fully understanding?

During an aerobic, cardiovascular workout, it’s widely accepted that more calories are burned than during a typical strength training workout of the same duration. The distinction? While you may certainly be losing weight, you’re also losing a proportionate amount of muscle at the same time. Additionally, it can also slow down your metabolism rather than speed it up. this is a detriment if you’re trying to lose weight.

Here’s the answer: Increase the intensity and begin to implement a consistent strength training regimen consisting of weight-bearing exercises in conjunction with aerobic activity. This is the optimal weight loss plan.
Oh, and don’t forget to hone in on your diet as well!

For more information on sports nutrition contact Sarah today!

Sarah Bezaire
Registered Holistic Nutrition Practitioner, RHNP
Registered Holistic Nutrition Counsellor, RHNC
Sports Nutrition Specialist

Now that we in Canada are well into the winter months, I want to talk about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which affects approximately 15% of Canadians who will report at least a mild case of SAD in their lifetime. While 2-3% will report serious cases. People with a family history of any form of depression may also be at risk of developing SAD.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is when individuals become more depressed in the winter months, when the days are shorter and darker. Women are more likely to suffer from SAD than are men. These symptoms go beyond the “winter blues”. Those who suffer with this type depression lose their energy, suffer anxiety attacks, withdrawal from family/ friends, irritability, trouble focusing and decision making, gain weight as a result of craving the wrong foods, sleep too much, and have a reduced sex drive.

Foods greatly influence the brains behavior. A poor diet, especially one with a lot of junk food, is a common cause of depression. The levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which regulate our behavior, are controlled by what we eat, and neurotransmitters are closely linked to our mood.

When doing research into SAD, its was very upsetting to see little to no mention of Nutritional therapy to help treat this disorder. Rather it was prescribed anxiety and depression medications. This my be needed for server cases, but as always, medications do not fix the root cause of the problem, rather they are band-aids for symptoms. Treating the underlying cause will still only help relieve the symptoms and disorder in the long run.

When the brain produces serotonin, tension is eased and we are more upbeat. Serotonin also plays a roll in mood, sleep, and appetite. Low levels can cause anxiety, depression, and insomnia. When the brain produces dopamine or norepinephrine, we tend to think and act more quickly and are generally more alert.

The substance that processes serotonin is an amino acid called tryptophan. Consuming tryptophan converts into 5-HTP, then converts again in the brain to serotonin (and is then converted once again into melatonin, which helps you sleep). Without this essential amino acid, the process cannot be made. Consuming foods such as tuna, salmon, turkey, chicken, oats, cheese, nuts, seeds, yogurt, etc, will help you get your daily intake of tryptophan, or you can purchase it as a supplement.

Essential Nutrients To help with Depression and SAD
1. Essential Fatty acids are also vital for your brain as it aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, therefore having well functioning neurotransmitters. They also work with hormone production and functioning. Aim for at least 1000mg EPA/DHA.
2. The B vitamins are necessary for the normal functioning of the bran ad nervous system. The B vitamins work together as your anti-stress and energy vitamins. Unless you are deficient in a specific B vitamin (after verifying with blood work, not self diagnosing), a B complex is more efficient as all the B vitamins work with each other.
3. Zinc is essential for the body overall. But it is found that people with depression are deficient with this mineral. 25-50mg daily during the winter months (cold and flu season)
4. Magnesium is effective for treatment of depression and anxiety as it has a calming effect on the body, and it is needed for the nervous system. The RDA is 400mg a day.
5. Vitamin D is actually a hormone that regulates the adrenal glands, among other things. Sufficient intake of this essential vitamin can result in an improved mood, increased energy and bone health, and decreased feelings of stress, especially those suffering from depression and SAD. At least 2000IU are recommended during the winter months to treat this disorder.
**NOTE: high doses of vitamin D causes toxicity, the best way to check you levels for adequate dosage is to get your blood work done**

Getting outside in the fresh air and in sunshine when it is available should be top priority. As someone who also is greatly affected by the weather and SAD, I know this is easier said than done. But it is only going to benefit you in the end. Bundle up, grab a hot tea and take a 20 min walk. Engage in some self care by mediating, exercising regularly, stretching and doing yoga, cuddling with a pet, giving a loved one a call, and taking a nice relaxing bath.

Always remember, if your depression or SAD becomes too much to reach out to a family member or friend to talk. Or call a helpline.
I am even offering my own ear to anyone in need.
You are never alone

Please seek medical attention if you feel you are depressed and/or experiencing any SAD symptoms.

How Does Exercise Improve Mental Health?

Fascinated by the mental health advantages of exercise? Or how exercise can reduce anxiety or depression? Exercise releases chemical substances such as endorphins and serotonin which improve your mood. Studies show that it can reduce feelings of depression or isolation and help in the recovery of other mental health problems.

But what is good mental health? Good mental health is a state of wellbeing where an individual realizes their own potential, is able to maintain relationships and has control of all of their emotions and actions. The sense of having a purpose, goals and adding value to each of these things are all signs of good mental health.

Below are five ways through which exercise or physical activity improves mental health:

1. Being A Mood Booster;

2. Decreasing Stress;

3. Increasing Self-Esteem And Self-Confidence;

4. Improving Sleep;

5. Forming New Brain Cells.

1.    Being A Mood Booster

Exercise is a mood booster that reduces both depression and anxiety symptoms. Physical activity increases endorphin levels, the powerful “feel good” chemical that produces a feeling of joy and euphoria in the body. That’s the reason why some people like to perform exercise when they feel stressed.

2.    Decreasing Stress

Physical activity, such as exercise, stimulates the sympathetic nervous system’s function that increases the overall capacity of the body to respond to stress. As mentioned above, exercise produces endorphins (natural painkillers of the body) that reduce stress naturally. Exercise also improves our sleep, which consequently reduces stress. Meditation, massage therapy, deep breathing and acupuncture are other forms of physical activity with similar benefits.

3.    Increasing Self-Esteem And Self-Confidence

Doing physical activities will cumulatively lead to a whopping increase of self-esteem — and self-confidence along with it! Weight loss or body toning from these activities may allow you to get better-fitting clothes, a slimmer physique or the opportunity to climb a hill without getting winded. Being able to strengthen the body as well as the mind is one of the many advantages of physical exercise.

A useful way to approach exercise is to set goals. When someone performs exercise they will have an underlying end goal; it may be to lose weight, be more active, reduce stress or any other fitness goal. Completing the goal leads to a feeling of accomplishment and leads to a confidence boost. Studies show that a physically fit person is more confident than someone who has not achieved their desired fitness level.

4.    Improving Sleep

If you have trouble having a good night’s sleep, then exercise can help. Physical activity raises the body’s temperature and can have relaxing effects on the mind, resulting in better sleep.

5.    Forming New Brain Cells

Studies show that aerobic exercise helps generate new brain cells — a process called neurogenesis — and improves overall brain efficiency. It also prevents memory loss and cognitive impairment by reinforcing the hippocampus (the brain’s portion responsible for memory and learning). Moreover, exercise pumps blood to the brain so you can think more clearly. It is then clear to see that moderate physical activity is beneficial for us all.

Bottom Line

After reading the above article, you should be able to conclude that exercise has many benefits, and we can use it to have better physical and mental health. Health specialists recommend 30 minutes of moderate physical activity four times a week. Some suggest that walking is best among all exercises as it is suitable for all age groups. However, you can choose other workouts that work better for your needs and interests. It may take some time to find the right exercise for you, but it will be worth it for your mental health once you do!

Be sure to talk to your medical professional before starting a new exercise program.