The Ignored Health Indicator: Why Phase Angle Matters
When it comes to assessing our health and wellbeing, we often focus on obvious metrics like weight, blood pressure, or cholesterol levels. However, there’s a lesser-used measurement that’s long overdue in gaining attention within the medical and fitness communities, for its ability to provide unique insights into our overall health: phase angle. Now you should know that this phase angle thing has been around for decades, and we’ve been using it at our office to predict peoples health and well being. Over time this measurement is valuable for understanding cellular and whole body health as well as one’s vulnerability to disease on a cellular level (think cancer, kidney disease, liver disease, etc).
What is Phase Angle?
Phase angle is a measurement obtained through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), a non-invasive method of assessing body composition. It’s calculated based on how electrical currents flow through our body tissues and provides information about cellular health and integrity.
Why Phase Angle Matters for Health
1. Cellular Health Indicator: A higher phase angle generally indicates healthier, more intact cell membranes and better cellular function. This translates to improved overall health at the most fundamental level – our cells.
2. Nutritional Status: Phase angle has been shown to correlate with nutritional status. A low phase angle may indicate malnutrition or nutrient deficiencies, even before other symptoms become apparent.
3. Muscle Quality: Beyond just measuring muscle mass, phase angle gives insights into muscle quality and function. This is particularly important for athletes and older adults concerned about maintaining strength and mobility.
4. Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: Lower phase angles have been associated with increased inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, both of which are linked to various chronic diseases. 
5. Predictor of Health Outcomes: In clinical settings, phase angle has shown promise as a predictor of outcomes in various conditions, including cancer, HIV, and kidney disease. A higher phase angle is often associated with better prognosis and survival rates.
6. Aging and Longevity: Phase angle tends to decrease with age, but maintaining a higher phase angle as we get older may be indicative of healthier aging and potentially increased longevity.
Improving Your Phase Angle
The good news is that phase angle isn’t fixed – it can be improved through lifestyle changes. This is why it is important to have a hands on lifestyle doctor as part of your team. Medical doctors focus on the diagnosis and treatment of disease once you already have it. Doctors like myself focus a lot of attention on natural means of prevention, performance, and adaptability. These types of things include but are not limited to:
1. Regular Exercise: Particularly resistance training, which helps build and maintain muscle mass and quality.
2. Balanced Nutrition: Ensuring adequate intake of essential nutrients supports cellular health and function.
3. Hydration: Proper hydration is crucial for maintaining optimal cellular function and phase angle.
4. Stress Management: Chronic stress can negatively impact cellular health, so stress reduction techniques may help improve phase angle.
5. Quality Sleep: Good sleep habits support overall health and cellular repair processes.
6. Proper neurological (brain) control over your body through the removal of stress on the nervous system.
Limitations and Considerations
While phase angle is a valuable health indicator, it’s important to note that it should be interpreted in context, which is where a doctor like me comes in. Factors like age, health history, gender, and overall body composition can influence phase angle measurements. Additionally, phase angle should be used in conjunction with other health assessments for a comprehensive picture of wellbeing. Just looking at the numbers without context, could lead to some very flawed interpretations.
Moving forward
Phase angle offers a unique window into your health at the cellular level. By understanding and monitoring this metric, we can help you gain valuable insights into your overall wellbeing and potentially catch health issues before they become more serious problems. As research in this area continues to grow, phase angle may become an increasingly important tool in personalized health management and preventive care.
Remember, while phase angle is a powerful health indicator, it’s always best to work with healthcare professionals to interpret your results and develop appropriate health strategies. By paying attention to our phase angle and taking steps to improve it, we can work towards better health and vitality at the most fundamental level – our cells.
Where Can I Get My Phase Angle Measured?
Our office has been offering phase angle testing for over a decade. We have seen consistencies in patient results and what the research is show that we can expect. With every test, I sit with you one on one, and we discuss all variables related to improving your phase angle and the implications of that improvement or lack thereof. Our office is located at 138 St. John Street in Portland, Maine. Testing is available to anyone and does not require being an existing patient. We do not accept walk ins, but scheduling the test is easy by calling (207) 774-6251. The test is quick, painless, and extremely helpful in revealing a great deal about the health and state of functioning and adaptability in your body. If you have any questions, we are happy to answer them. ~Dr. Lou
Citations:
[1] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11154-022-09775-0
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10030341/
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[4] https://inbodyasia.com/blog/how-to-interpret-your-phase-angle-results-a-step-by-step-guide/
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[8] https://www.chardermedical.com/news/blog/What-is-Phase-Angle,-and-how-can-you-use-it.htm
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[10] https://inbodyasia.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-phase-angle-a-comprehensive-guide/
[11] https://www.naspi.org/sites/default/files/reference_documents/naspi_2016_tr_006_phase_angle_calculations_final.pdf
[12] https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA093808.pdf
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[16] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9735068/
[17] https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/2020-use-the-phase-angle-formula-to-understand-power-delivery
[18] https://uk.inbody.com/blog/your-body-and-you-a-guide-to-phase-angle/
[19] https://www.picotech.com/library/oscilloscopes/phase-measurements-and-math-channels
[20] https://hi-r-ed.com/bia/notes_on_phase_angle_interpretation.htm