In this episode of the Drive podcast, the hosts Peter Attia and Nick discuss the importance of historical data in tracking changes in body composition over time. They explain that DEXA scans are the gold standard for measuring body composition, as they divide tissue into bone, fat, and other categories. The hosts focus on four key metrics: body fat percentage, visceral fat, bone mineral density, and muscle mass. They also discuss the importance of tracking lean mass, fat mass, bone mineral content, and fat-free mass, as well as the difference between almi and ffmi measurements and how they can be used to track muscle mass.
Throughout the episode, the hosts share their personal experiences with different diets and exercise routines and how they have affected their body composition. They discuss Peter's experiences with different diets and exercise routines and how they have affected his body composition. They share their personal data from 2011 to 2014, during which they were on a ketogenic diet and then transitioned to cycling and experimenting with fasting. They note that their lean mass decreased during this time, but their overall health markers were good. They also mention the importance of protein intake in maintaining muscle mass.
The hosts stress the importance of tracking historical data to monitor changes over time. They explain that this allows individuals to see how their body composition changes in response to different diets and exercise routines, and can help them make more informed decisions about their health. They also note that DEXA scans are more accurate than other methods of measuring body composition, such as hydrostatic dunk tests.
Overall, this episode of the Drive podcast provides valuable insights into the importance of tracking historical data in monitoring changes in body composition over time. The hosts share their personal experiences with different diets and exercise routines and how they have affected their body composition, providing listeners with valuable information that they can use to make more informed decisions about their health.