Most wellness routines keep physical fitness and mental health separate. We go to the gym for our muscles and do puzzles for our minds.
However, groundbreaking research from 2025 shows these systems are deeply connected. If you want a sharper, more resilient brain, the secret lies in your body composition. Specifically, it depends on the balance between your muscle mass and “hidden” visceral fat.
The Science: Can Your Body Predict Your “Brain Age”?
A landmark study by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) used AI to analyze full body MRI for body composition data. Researchers looked at over 1,100 adults to determine their “brain age.”
Led by Dr. Cyrus Raji of the Washington University School of Medicine, the study found that your body is a powerful predictor of brain health.
- High Muscle Mass: This is linked to brains that appear younger than a person’s actual age.
- High Visceral Fat: This is strongly tied to advanced brain aging and a higher risk of cognitive decline.
Understanding the “Hidden Enemy”: Visceral vs. Subcutaneous Fat
Not all fat affects the brain in the same way. Understanding the difference is vital for a proactive health assessment.
Subcutaneous Fat is the “pinchable” fat under your skin. While people often worry about it for how they look, the RSNA study found it has very little impact on brain aging.
Visceral Fat is the dangerous, “hidden” fat wrapped around your internal organs. It is biologically active and releases inflammatory chemicals. Over time, these chemicals can damage your brain cells.
Voice Search Quick Answer: What is a full body MRI scan?
A full body MRI is a non-invasive imaging test. It provides a detailed look at your internal organs, muscle mass, and visceral fat levels. This helps identify health risks like metabolic health issues before symptoms appear.
The “Muscle Shield”: How Strength Training Protects the Mind
Why does muscle mass act as a neuroprotective shield? Scientists point to three main reasons:
- The “Pharmacy” Effect: Active muscles release myokines. These are chemicals that encourage the growth of new neural connections.
- Blood Sugar Regulation: Muscles help manage glucose. High blood sugar is a known cause of brain cell damage.
- Oxygenation: Physical activity increases vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
A Note on GLP-1 Medications (Ozempic/Wegovy)
Weight loss drugs are very effective at reducing visceral fat. However, they can also lead to a rapid loss of muscle, a condition known as sarcopenia.
To protect your brain while using these medications, you must prioritize protein and resistance training. This helps preserve your “muscle shield.”
Stop Guessing: See Your Health with Bionicc Body Screening
Visceral fat is often invisible. You can be “thin on the outside” but have dangerous fat levels internally. Standard BMI measurements cannot tell the difference between muscle and fat.
At Bionicc Body Screening, our MRI full body screenings provide a transparent view of your internal health. Your physician can review images for identifying high visceral fat or low muscle mass early, so you can take action to “turn back the clock” on your brain age.
Take Control of Your Cognitive Future Today
Step 1: Start strength training at least twice a week.
Step 2: Reduce processed sugars that fuel visceral fat growth.
Step 3: Get data-driven insights through a preventative brain health screening.
Schedule Your Proactive Full Body MRI Screening Today
Sources:
National Institutes of Health (NIH). General information regarding the health risks of visceral fat and the benefits of muscle mass in aging populations.
Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). (2025). “More Muscle, Less Belly Fat Slows Brain Aging.” Press Release.
Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology. Research contributions by Dr. Cyrus Raji on brain age and body biomarkers.
DiagnosticImaging.com. Emerging MRI Research Suggests Link Between Muscle Mass, Belly Fat and Brian Aging
By: The Bionicc Body Screening Team
Last Updated: December 19, 2025