Electrolyte solution- a way to cheat the system?

An electrolyte is a substance containing free ions that behaves as an electrically conductive medium. Because they generally consist of ions in solution, electrolytes are also known as ionic solutions, but molten electrolytes and solid electrolytes are also possible.

Therefore in theory this solution should reduce the resistance in the bioimpedance measurement which results in a greater difference in % of body fat before and after the consumption of this solution.

Aim:
To test whether an electrolyte solution will substantially decrease % fat in the bioimpedance measurement.

Method:
A subject (n=1) was volunteer for this study. Since it was an experiment on the person himself, ethic approval was not required. The electrolyte solution was obtained from Dr Geddes Homeyard Laboratory. The solution (~500ml) contained 80mg(3.5mmol) of Na, 68mg(1.75mmol) of K and 8.4mg(0.35mmol) of Mg. It had total energy of 72Cal Weight and % of body was measured by Tanita body fat monitor/scale (TBF-521, USA). The time of measurements were listed as follow: prelunch (12:45), after lunch (13:10), consume the solution, 0 hour (13:14), 0.5 hour (13:44), 1 hour (14:14), nature call (14:18), 1.5 hour (15:14), 2 hour (15:14)

Result:
The greatest change in weight occurred after the consumption of lunch and the solution.
The weight remained very constant after the nature call.
The % of fat raise only 0.5% after the consumption of lunch and the solution. Then reduced to 19% after nature call.

Discussion:

Electrolyte solution is often used after heavy workout because of its ability to reduce fluid loss. Therefore drinking electrolyte solution should reduce the resistance and leaded to the result of low % of fat in the bio-impedance measurement. Introduce electrolyte solution showed no substantial reduction in % of body fat during the time of experiment. It was unlikely due to the addition of lunch prior to the test because subject's % of fat was 19.5% during his initial weight in (31st may, 2007). It might be possibility due to the strength of the solution prepared from the Homeyard Laboratory. However if the electrolyte solution help to absorption of fluid, then may be extra fluid after the consumption of the electrolyte solution may result in a greater reduction of % fat.

information about energy consumption

Energy consumption and body weight
How much energy does our body need?

Calculate the daily energy consumption of your body:

The human body has a basic energy consumption of about 4 kJ per kilogram of body weight and daily hour, regardless of whether you are at work or asleep. In order to calculate your basic energy consumption, you have to multiply your body weight by 4 and thereafter by 24 (for the hours of the day).

The amount of energy your body burns is largely determined by your professional activity, add therefore the value below which is relevant to you, in order to calculate your basic energy consumption.

Daily energy consumption according to professional activity *:

Activity Consumption
Seated work (office staff, pupil /student) 1000 - 2000 kJ
Light work (i.e. sales person, hairdresser) 2000 - 4000 kJ
Medium heavy work (i.e. carpenter, baker, housewife) 4000 - 6000 kJ
Heavy work (i.e. bricklayer, dancer) 6000 - 8000 kJ
Very heavy work (top athlete) over 8000 kJ

Even in your spear time you consume energy, you can calculate your average spare time energy consumption by adding the relevant value below to your basic and professional activity energy consumption.

Energy consumption (per hour) for various leisure activities *:

Jogging (9 km/h) 2400 kJ
Dancing 1500 kJ
Swimming (20 m/min) 1200 kJ
Cycling (15 km/h) 1200 kJ
Walking 600 kJ
Writing 120 kJ
Watching television 20 kJ

* Approximate value: 1 kcl = 4.18 kJ

The result represents your total energy consumption per day. The measure used hereby is the Kilo-Joule (kJ), in order to convert your result into the wider known kilo-calorie (kcal), you have to divide your result by 4 (exact conversion: 1 kcal = 4.18 kJ).