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Poliquin says that with Biosignature Modulation, a skilled trainer needs to just measure twelve specific skinfolds to reliably predict what's going on hormonally inside a client and make the necessary dietary and exercise recommendations. While some may still cry "voodoo," Charles says Biosignature Modulation is now being embraced by North America's functional medicine practitioners.
I've known about the Biosignature Modulation system for a few years, but wanted to get a bit more information before I bellied up to the bar and sipped the Poliquin Kool-Aid. One thing that always bothered me about B.M. is that it appears to give clients an "easy out" for making piss-poor lifestyle choices. Meaning, an overweight guy with significant abdominal fat can now whine that it's stress-induced cortisol that's giving him a pot belly as opposed to that half-pound bean burrito combo he eats for lunch every day.
But in retrospect, that kind of thinking is a strawman argument. Biosignature Modulation isn't intended as a substitute for basic sound dietary practices (multiple feedings, protein at each meal, EFAs, fiber) but rather it's a means of fine tuning the basics by identifying potential roadblocks.
Many people have hormonal issues that make their fat loss efforts more like a Rubik's Cube than a blueprint for success: poor insulin sensitivity, low androgens, a sluggish thyroid, estrogen imbalances, etc. Biosignature Modulation allows the trainer to spot these pitfalls and make appropriate changes without having to send the client off for inconvenient, expensive blood tests.
Here's a brief synopsis of the sites and what elevated levels vs. the triceps may reveal about what's going on inside:
Chin & Cheek — The first sites to go down during a diet. These sites aren't linked to any particular hormone imbalance.
Pectoral & Triceps — The androgen sites. High pec readings in men in relation to the triceps can reflect an androgen/estrogen imbalance. Interestingly, Charles says a female who clocks in at less than 5mm on the triceps site is almost a shoe-in to be on AAS and likely rides a stationary bike as foreplay.
Suprailliac & 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. The lower the number, the better the thyroid.
Umbilical — The much maligned cortisol site. It can be high despite low overall body fat.
Knee & Medial Calf — These skinfolds are related to growth hormone. Interestingly, readings on the knee site tend to go up in the third and fourth week of a fat loss diet and then go back down.
Quadriceps & Hamstring — High levels here vs. the triceps are correlated to high estrogen levels.
The balance of the seminar was spent identifying exactly where each site was and obtaining a correct skinfold pinch (not always an easy task!) Then for each site Charles suggested training, diet, and supplementation programs to implement when encountering an abnormally elevated skinfold. But Charles is prone to tangents, so there was a lot of additional info along the way.
