When we think about weight and health, we often focus only on body fat. However, a large study of over 138,000 adults shows that the amount of fat-free mass—which includes your muscles and bones—is just as important for your long-term health.
Researchers found that people with lower fat-free mass metrics faced a significantly higher risk of several serious conditions. This included a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease. They also found a stronger link between low muscle metrics and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
While the data shows a clear link between muscle health and these conditions, it is important to note that these were observational studies. This means the research shows a connection between low muscle mass and health problems, but it does not prove that one causes the other. The results also varied slightly depending on how researchers measured fat-free mass.
