DEXA Scan Offer Earlier Detection of Chronic Disease
Life gets busy, your weight is about the same, and your bloodwork seems to be normal. You carry on as usual, despite feeling weak and fatigued. But heck, that’s just normal aging, right?
Deep within your body a different story unfolds. A poor diet, chronic daily stress, and a lack of exercise creates fat which isn’t as obvious as flabby arms or stubborn thighs. This fat hides deep within and around your organs, metabolically active, releasing hormones and inflammatory chemicals. With this comes an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, chronic inflammation, and a higher risk of stroke and some cancers.
This is your visceral fat, different from the fat found just underneath your skin that is so visible.
What Is Visceral Fat and Why Is It Dangerous?
Visceral fat surrounds your internal organs and plays a direct role in metabolic dysfunction. Unlike subcutaneous fat, visceral fat actively releases inflammatory substances that increase your risk of:
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Chronic inflammation
- Stroke
- Certain cancers
Even if your weight appears stable and your lab results look normal, visceral fat may still be silently impacting your health.
How a DEXA Scan Measures Hidden Visceral Fat
A DEXA (Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry) whole body composition scan offers the most direct measure of visceral fat. Blood tests can act as an indirect measure, but they cannot tell you where your fat is stored and how much of it is visceral. While blood tests provide indirect markers, they cannot determine:
- Where your fat is stored
- How much of it is visceral
- Changes in fat distribution over time
A DEXA body scan provides precise insight into fat distribution, skeletal muscle mass, and body composition—even when the scale and lab results appear normal.
Reducing Visceral Fat: What Actually Works
The solution to reducing visceral fat is not simply increasing aerobic activity. Instead, research supports:
- Strength training
- Adequate protein intake
- Proper sleep and recovery
- Stress management
Because visceral fat is metabolically active, recovery and hormonal balance are just as important as exercise
DEXA Scans in Ontario: What You Should Know
At the moment, a DEXA scan is only available through OHIP for older adults as part of a preventative bone health check, screening for weak bone density, or osteoporosis. It does not comment on other metrics.
With recent advances, so much more information can be obtained from a DEXA scan than previously before, including that of skeletal muscle mass, fat distributions, and personalized metrics where its earlier use can be a valuable tool in remaining healthy.
Where to Get a DEXA Scan
DEXA scans for full body composition can be obtained privately or through certain extended health insurance plans.
The Ability Clinic in Mississauga has a DEXA scan machine with the latest software technology available. Should you require further guidance, through a referral with your family physician, a Lifestyle Medicine Doctor can also be seen to comment and offer further interventions.
Take Control of Your Health Today
Don’t wait for symptoms or abnormal bloodwork. Detect hidden health risks early and prevent chronic illness before it becomes a serious concern.
Contact Ability Clinic Mississauga today and Book Appointment to learn more about DEXA scanning and proactive health screening.
