BioSignature Hormonal Assessment
The Biosignature Hormonal Assessment was developed by world-renowned researcher and strength coach, Charles Poliquin. It is based off of the premise that where the body stores body fat is a reflection of its hormonal profile. Put simply, where you store your fat determines what hormones are imbalanced.
Hormones are chemical messengers that elicit certain processes within the human body. Some of these processes include increase/decrease metabolism, store/burn fat, build/breakdown lean muscle as well as many other health factors. Often times, people attempt to change their body and begin with good intention and work hard but to no avail. They fail to see results for their hard fought efforts and soon become frustrated and quit.
Normally when a client comes to see a trainer a basic assessment is conducted and then the trainer must intelligently guess what course of action is best for that individual. Then the client is at the mercy of trial and error. After a three or four months of a the client adhering to the plan then and only then can the trainer determine the most effective path to take in terms of training, nutrition and supplementation. The Biosignature Hormonal Assessment takes the guesswork out of the equation and within an hour, we know what the most effective and most efficient course of action is for that individual. With this personalized information in hand, we eliminate more than three months of guesswork. The end result: Results appear faster with no wasted effort.
How was the Biosignature Hormonal Assessment developed?
Over the course of 25 years, Poliquin along with a group of researchers from Canada and Europe performed the 12 site skinfold testing with lab tests that measured hormonal levels through blood and saliva samples. With thousands of tests performed and backed with lab work, normative data was determined to show that specific sites on the body correlated to specific hormonal imbalances.
The 12 Skinfold Sites of Biosignature Modulation and some related info:
Chin and Cheek: The first sites to go down during a diet. These sites aren’t linked to any particular hormone imbalance but act as indicator sites as to whether or not the plan is working or not.
Pectoral and Triceps: The androgen sites. High pec readings in men in relation to the triceps can reflect an androgen imbalance which makes it far more difficult to add lean muscle mass.
Suprailliac and Subscapular: The insulin sites. These sites are related to blood sugar management. High readings here vs. the triceps may reflect poor insulin sensitivity and carb intolerance.
Mid-axillary: This site is correlated to thyroid hormone levels.
Umbilical: The infamous cortisol site. It can be high despite low overall body fat. If this site is imbalanced then steady state cardio would create a further imbalance and cause the client to store fat rather than burn it.
Knee and Medial Calf: These skinfolds are related to growth hormone and act as an indicator in the quality and quantity of sleep a client experiences.
Quadriceps and Hamstring: High levels here vs. the triceps are correlated to high estrogen levels. This site usually comes up in females. Lactate threshold training works best here.
For each site that shows an imbalance then a specific training, nutrition and supplementation protocol would be implemented that would stimulate the body to balance those hormonal irregularities.
