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.
View More Free Articles
This Sleep Mistake Is Doubling Your Disease Risk
Think your inconsistent bedtime is just a harmless habit? Think again. New research reveals that going to bed at different times each night isn’t just making you tired—it could be dramatically increasing your risk of serious diseases. But the key to making sure poor sleep doesn’t derail your health goals likely isn’t what you think…....
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...