ZYTO Scan
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What is a ZYTO scan and how does it work?
​The ZYTO scan is a biofeedback device that measures changes in your skin's electrical properties, a process based on a concept called electrodermal activity (EDA). Electrodermal activity refers to how your skin's electrical conductivity changes in response to a stimulus—similar to how a lie detector test works.
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ZYTO technology works by introducing various digital stimuli (stressors) to your body and measuring how your skin reacts to each one. Think of it as a conversation between the device and your nervous system—ZYTO asks a question, and your body answers through measurable electrical changes.
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EDA, previously known as galvanic skin response, is a technology that has been extensively studied and proven reliable for tracking changes in nervous system activity. It provides an objective way to understand how your body is responding to different types of stimuli.
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How Does This Relate to Your Health?
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Electrodermal activity measures how your skin responds to changes in your nervous system activity, particularly through the activation of sweat glands in areas like your hands and feet (which have many sweat glands).
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Here’s a simple breakdown:
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When your body experiences stress, excitement, or any activation of the sympathetic nervous system—the system responsible for the "fight or flight" response—your sweat glands become more active.​
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This increased activity enhances your skin's ability to conduct electricity.
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The ZYTO scan detects these changes in electrical conductivity, providing a snapshot of how your body responded to each digital stimuli (stressors).
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Why Does This Matter?
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Your skin’s electrical activity isn’t just about sweat—it’s a window into how your body manages stress and emotions. Stress comes from many sources, and your body is constantly working to adapt to it. While emotional stress is one factor, physical stressors like chemicals, heavy metals, and parasites also play a role. These stressors create a burden on your body as it works to eliminate them.
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ZYTO technology is unique in that it can measure the stress caused by these physical stressors, providing insights into how your body responds to both emotional and physical stressors.
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Research has even linked unusual electrodermal activity patterns to conditions like anxiety, ADHD, and behavioral disorders, offering valuable insights into mental and emotional health.
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As a naturopathic physician specializing in mental health, I often use tools like the ZYTO scan to gain insights into your health. Electrodermal activity is a fascinating, accurate, and non-invasive way to learn more about your body. It helps me to provide highly personalized strategies for improving your overall health and well-being.
Is the ZYTO scan safe?
Yes, all ZYTO scans and ZYTO technology are completely safe for use. The ZYTO hand cradle is FDA-cleared, meaning it has been rigorously evaluated for both safety and effectiveness. As a class II medical device, the ZYTO operates under the same standards as many other biofeedback technologies, ensuring it meets strict regulatory guidelines.
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ZYTO scans are safe even for children as young as two years old! The only requirement is that they must be able to keep their hand steady on the device for a few minutes during the scan. This makes the ZYTO a versatile and non-invasive tool for individuals of all ages. If your son or daughter is restless and always on the move, you may want to want until their a little bit older!
Can the ZYTO scan diagnose medical conditions?
No, the ZYTO scan cannot diagnose medical conditions. It does not provide a medical diagnosis with any classifiable disease, but rather serves as an assessment of stress within your body, which can sometimes be related to an underlying condition.
As a naturopathic physician, I’m trained to diagnose disease based on a combination of symptoms, blood tests, imaging studies, and clinical evaluation. This is a standard approach in both conventional and naturopathic medicine.
However, I’ve observed a fascinating correlation between ZYTO scan reports and certain lab markers. For example, the ZYTO often identifies areas of stress that align with lab results showing abnormalities. This is what initially sparked my interest in the technology during medical school!
In my first personal experience with the ZYTO scan, an initial hormone blood test showed that my DHEA and cortisol levels were out of range. When I later received a ZYTO scan, the report showed significant stress involving my endocrine system and suggested natural medicines related to hormone support. When I used those medicines, I felt significantly better. Since then, I’ve seen similar relationships in my patients too.
A couple of examples:
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Vitamin D deficiency: Patients with confirmed low vitamin D levels from blood tests often have ZYTO reports recommending vitamin D supplements in their medicine report.
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Kidney stress: In one case, a patient presented with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. However, her ZYTO report consistently showed unusually high stress in the kidney area. While she didn’t have kidney-related symptoms, further testing revealed a large kidney stone and reduced kidney function—a finding that would have been missed otherwise!
How I Use ZYTO in My Practice
While the ZYTO scan cannot directly diagnose diseases, it provides valuable insights into stress patterns that can guide further investigation. If the scan consistently shows high stress in a particular area across multiple sessions, I would consider additional testing to identify potential underlying issues.
For me, the ZYTO scan is a complementary tool—not a diagnostic device. It often helps me prioritize areas for further evaluation or identify which lab tests might provide the most useful information.
How often should you get a ZYTO?
To get the most benefit from ZYTO scans, I recommend starting with monthly scans for the first three months. After that, a scan every three months is ideal for maintaining insights into your body’s stress patterns and support needs.
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One ZYTO report provides valuable information, but repeated scans allow us to identify chronic patterns and areas of ongoing stress. For example, if a specific body system—such as the gastrointestinal system—shows up as stressed in multiple monthly scans, it gives us clarity on where to focus support.
Similarly, if recurring stressors like viruses or bacteria are consistently impacting the same system, it suggests that addressing those underlying issues (e.g., improving your microbiome) may be more effective than directly targeting the system itself with digestive enzymes or other something similar.
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Personally, I’ve been using ZYTO scans on myself every month for several years. This consistent tracking has helped me understand what my body regularly struggles with, which areas need ongoing support, and which medicines are most beneficial for me long-term.
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By following this schedule, ZYTO scans can become an important tool in your journey toward better health, offering insights that evolve with you over time!
Ready to discover how ZYTO scans can support your health? Contact me today to schedule your first scan and begin tracking your body’s unique needs!