Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted July 26, 2025
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school.
Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner.
A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might help identify if you’re at risk for memory loss and muscle deterioration. Two problems that, as we age, tend to show up together.
This surprising new screening tool measures something you’ve probably never heard of…
This breakthrough centers around something called “phase angle”—a measurement done using equipment that would remind you of a souped-up bathroom scale.
Before your eyes glaze over, thinking this involves complicated medical equipment, let me show you how simple it really is.
You stand on metal plates while holding metal handles for about five minutes. That’s it.
The device sends a tiny electrical current through your body—so small you won’t even feel it—to assess the health of your muscle cells.
This bioelectrical impedance analysis has been around for years, but researchers are only now discovering its potential as a predictor of cognitive health.
This measurement is especially revealing for women. In a study published in the Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle, researchers examined 263 middle-aged Japanese adults.
Women with higher phase angles were significantly less likely to have mild cognitive impairment—that frustrating stage when you start misplacing your keys and wondering if it’s normal aging or something more serious.
For every one-degree increase in phase angle, women’s odds of cognitive problems dropped by an impressive 72 percent.
But what exactly does a phase angle measurement involve? In simple terms, it assesses the quality and health of your muscle cells by examining how well cell membranes are functioning and how much fluid is stored inside versus outside your cells.
Think of it as a cellular report card for your muscles.
Here’s where it gets really fascinating… scientists have found our muscles do far more than help us move around. They also release proteins called “myokines” during exercise that benefit brain function.
This may explain why staying physically fit is closely tied to maintaining mental sharpness as we age. It’s not just about looking good in your jeans—your muscles are literally talking to your brain.
The beauty of this test is that it uses equipment already available in most clinics and costs virtually nothing. No need to schedule expensive MRIs or wait months for specialized appointments.
If this catches on—and I suspect it will—we might start seeing this measurement built right into the scales you step on that already measure your weight and muscle mass.
Imagine receiving a heads-up about looming cognitive issues during a routine physical—with time to actually do something about it.
For those of us who’ve watched friends and family struggle with memory loss, having an early warning system that’s this simple and accessible is a game-changer.
So, the next time someone implies that lifting weights is just about vanity, tell them your muscles are protecting your memory too.
P.S. “Brain Games” failed you? Try THIS for better memory instead.
Source:
Kentaro Ikeue, Hisashi Kato, Masashi Tanaka, et al., Phase Angle Is a Potential Novel Early Marker for Sarcopenia and Cognitive Impairment in the General Population, Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle, Volume 16, Issue 3, June 2025, e13820, DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13820
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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