When it comes to body composition analysis, most people tend to focus on muscle mass and body fat mass. While these metrics are important, there’s another key indicator that often goes overlooked—Phase Angle. Phase Angle is a metric that indicates the integrity of a person’s cell membranes, providing insight into their nutritional status and overall health.
In this blog post, we will dive deeper into what Phase Angle is, how to interpret it, and how body composition affects Phase Angle.
What is Phase Angle (PhA)?
Phase Angle is a valuable metric derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) that provides insights into cellular health, nutritional status and overall well-being.
How is PhA Measured?
BIA-derived Phase Angle (PhA) is calculated by analyzing the way body tissues respond to a small, safe electrical current. BIA works by sending a current through the body, which encounters resistance and reactance from different tissues, such as fat, muscle, and water.
- Resistance refers to how much the body tissues resists the flow of electrical current, with fat tissue being the primary contributor to resistance.
- Reactance, on the other hand, measures how much the body’s cells store and release energy as the current passes through.
Image source: Moonen, H. P. F. X., & Van Zanten, A. R. H. (2021). Bioelectric impedance analysis for body composition measurement and other potential clinical applications in critical illness. Current Opinion in Critical Care, 27(4), 344–353. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCC.0000000000000840
The PhA is derived from the relationship between these two components, often expressed in degrees. The formula used to calculate PhA is:
Image source: Moonen, H. P. F. X., & Van Zanten, A. R. H. (2021). Bioelectric impedance analysis for body composition measurement and other potential clinical applications in critical illness. Current Opinion in Critical Care, 27(4), 344–353. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCC.0000000000000840
What is Considered a Good PhA?
A Phase Angle greater than 4° generally indicates better overall health across various populations. A higher PhA generally reflects better cellular integrity and nutritional status.
In contrast, a lower PhA suggests poor cellular health and may indicate potential concerns such as inflammation, malnutrition or severe sarcopenia. Besides that, did you know that it is also associated with aging, as the integrity of cell membranes naturally declines over time? Well, as Dr. Howard Murad, celebrity dermatologist and author of The Water Secret: The Cellular Breakthrough to Look and Feel 10 Years Younger, explains,
The Phase Angle goes up when you’re healthy and down when you’re ill. It also goes down as you age. When you increase your Phase Angle, you slow down aging.
*References are sourced from combined journals.
In short, a low Phase Angle can signal malnutrition, inflammation, or a weakened immune system. Meanwhile, a higher Phase Angle generally suggests better nutritional health and cellular function.
How Body Composition Affects Phase Angle: A Closer Look
Can improving your body composition help increase your Phase Angle values? It sure does!
A 2016 study found that Fat-free Mass (FFM), height, and age are key factors that influence PhA variability in healthy individuals. The study also revealed that the Extracellular Water to Intracellular Water (ECW:ICW) Ratio significantly affects PhA, particularly in conditions like severe obesity. For example, increased inflammation or edema, which raises the ECW/TBW ratio, can lower PhA values, reflecting a decline in cellular health.
This means that improving your body composition whether through better nutrition, exercise, or a combination of both, can help enhance cellular health and raise PhA values.
Read This Blogpost to Learn More About How to Improve Your Phase AngleThe relationship between your Phase Angle and body composition can be summarized as follows:
- Increased PhA may result from:
- Gains in muscle mass
- Reduction in body fat
- Reduced inflammation
- Decreased PhA may result from:
- Loss of muscle tissue
- Increased inflammation
Conclusion: Why You Should Pay Attention to Phase Angle
Phase Angle is more than just a number—it’s a reflection of your body’s overall health and vitality. Whether you’re in the medical field using it to monitor disease progression or an athlete tracking your fitness journey, PhA offers a valuable tool for assessing and improving your well-being.
Now, with the introduction of the new InBody S Series, Phase Angle, an advanced parameter once only available in high-end models is now accessible across all models. This advancement makes PhA even more attainable for individuals and healthcare providers, providing a reliable metric to guide health decisions and performance goals.
