When most people think about muscle, they picture strength training, performance, or aesthetics. But as Dr. Adonis, triple board certified in internal medicine, obesity medicine, and clinical informatics, explains, muscle is far more than that.
“Muscle mass is one of the most overlooked factors in metabolic health and longevity,” he says.
Muscle as a Metabolic Organ
We often forget that muscle is an active tissue. It is not just sitting beneath the skin for strength or appearance, it functions like an organ. Muscle regulates blood sugar, communicates with other systems through signaling molecules, and has a direct impact on energy expenditure.
Maintaining lean muscle mass improves insulin sensitivity, reduces chronic inflammation, and raises resting energy expenditure, which means the body burns more calories even at rest. These are the exact factors that protect against type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and age related decline.
In other words, muscle does not just make you stronger, it makes you healthier.
The Protective Power of Lean Mass
Lean muscle mass plays a protective role in long term health. Increasing muscle can help lower visceral fat, the type of fat that surrounds organs and drives metabolic disease. It also improves glucose control, enhances mobility, and reduces the risk of frailty later in life.
This is why Dr. Adonis refers to muscle as a “longevity organ.” By prioritizing lean mass, we are not just training for aesthetics, we are actively building resilience against disease and aging.
Why Measurement Matters
Despite its importance, muscle is rarely measured in traditional health and weight loss settings. Most people rely only on the scale, which can be misleading.
“You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” says Dr. Adonis. “Scale weight alone does not tell you the full story.”
Someone may lose weight but actually be losing lean tissue, which compromises long term health. Others may be gaining muscle while holding steady on the scale, mistakenly believing they are not making progress. Without accurate data, it is impossible to make informed decisions about training, nutrition, or health strategy.
Body Composition as the New Standard
Body composition testing, like the Evolt 360 scan, provides detailed insights into lean mass, visceral fat, segmental balance, and overall metabolic health. For Dr. Adonis, this type of testing is essential for creating truly personalized strategies.
“Having access to the Evolt 360 allows me to see exactly what is happening inside the body,” Dr. Adonis explains. “It is not just about weight loss or gain, it is about preserving lean mass, reducing visceral fat, and optimizing long term health. That level of precision is invaluable for both patients and practitioners.”
By integrating body composition into regular health assessments, both individuals and clinicians can track meaningful changes over time and ensure that progress is about more than just the number on the scale.
Muscle as the New Metric
The message is clear. Muscle is no longer just about performance or appearance. It is a clinical marker for longevity and health.
As Dr. Adonis emphasizes, muscle deserves attention because it functions as the body’s metabolic engine. Protecting and building muscle should be the foundation of every health, fitness, and longevity plan.
For anyone on a journey, whether weight loss, performance, or long term wellness, the takeaway is simple:
• Train smart to stimulate muscle growth
• Fuel your body with purpose to support lean mass
• Measure what matters with body composition analysis
Because in today’s health landscape, muscle is the new metric.
Watch Dr. Adonis break down why muscle is your longevity organ.
