What if your most important health numbers aren’t your weight, BMI, or even your cholesterol? Two people can step on a scale and see the same number, yet one may have the muscle mass of an avid hiker and the bone density of a 30-year-old, while the other is quietly losing both. That’s why a growing number of Santa Cruz residents are looking beyond the scale and getting a glimpse of what’s really happening.
So you can imagine my excitement when I discovered the wellness enthusiast’s version of the ice cream truck, only better: a mobile DEXA scan lab. Operated by exercise physiologist, endurance athlete, former Apple health coach and all-around nice guy David Liotta, BluRithm brings advanced body composition testing directly to multiple Toadal Fitness and GOAT Santa Cruz locations.
Originally developed to assess bone density, DEXA, or Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, uses two low-energy X-ray beams to measure body composition with remarkable precision. The scan can estimate muscle mass, body fat percentage, bone density and visceral fat, the type of fat stored deep within the abdominal cavity that is associated with increased health risks.
As interest in longevity, healthy aging and body composition grows, Liotta has found a receptive audience among everyone from elite athletes to retirees.
“Some people are tracking changes because they’re on a weight-loss journey,” he says. “Others are focused on building muscle, monitoring bone density, or they’re simply curious and want to understand their bodies more accurately.”
Liotta believes the real value isn’t the technology itself. “The conversation is the important part,” he says.
A typical BluRithm appointment takes about 20 minutes. The scan itself requires only six minutes. The remaining time is devoted to reviewing results and answering questions. While some clients have undergone multiple scans and simply want the data, others arrive feeling nervous or uncertain about what they might discover.
Although Liotta is careful not to diagnose medical conditions, DEXA scans can identify measurements that may warrant further discussion with a physician.
“If I see numbers that suggest someone may be at higher risk for osteopenia or osteoporosis, I’ll encourage them to have a conversation with their doctor,” he explains. “I’m very clear that I’m not diagnosing anything, but I don’t want someone to leave without understanding that there may be something worth exploring.”
As Americans live longer, healthcare professionals are paying increasing attention to sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle that can reduce mobility, increase fall risk and diminish quality of life.
“Maintaining muscle mass as we age may be one of the most important things we can do for long-term health.”
Liotta has worked with world-class athletes, including Olympic contenders. These athletes often monitor body composition every few months, seeking the delicate balance between maximizing muscle and minimizing excess body fat without compromising health.
Some come because a family member was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis. Others want a baseline measurement as they enter midlife. Still others are simply interested in learning more about their bodies.
What sets BluRithm apart is Liotta’s commitment to making the experience body-positive and educational rather than judgmental.
“I want to support people in a body-positive, affirmative way,” he says. “The data matters, but how we talk about the data matters too.”
In a culture obsessed with weight, Liotta believes body composition offers a more meaningful metric.
Two people can weigh exactly the same yet have dramatically different amounts of muscle, bone and visceral fat. Understanding those differences can help guide exercise, nutrition and healthy aging strategies far more effectively than a number on the scale alone.
For Liotta, that’s ultimately the goal. Personally, I was relieved to learn I do not have osteoporosis, an important fact I would have otherwise had to wait until age 65 for insurance coverage to discern.
As interest in longevity and preventive health continues to grow, this deeper understanding may prove to be one of the most valuable health metrics.
Learn more atblurithm.com. Book online to visit one of the multiple locations throughout Santa Cruz: GOAT Santa Cruz, 1055 17th Ave; $119 USD 30 min. DEXA scan and conversation. All Santa Cruz County TOADAL Fitness locations; $79 20 min. DEXA scan and conversation
Elizabeth Borelli is a Mediterranean Lifestyle diet and lifestyle expert. Check out her free resources and local events at ElizabethBorelli.com
