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.