Is phase angle a sensitive biomarker for overall health status?

Abstract

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is used as a non-invasive method of calculating body composition, such as body fat and fat-free mass. It works by transmitting electrical currents throughout the body and assessing resistance as the current passes through different body tissues. BIA can be used to calculate Phase Angle, which is calculated using body tissue resistance and cell membrane reactance. Phase Angle is thought to be an indicator of overall cellular health and nutritional quality of cells, but it is still a relatively knew biomarker, and it is unknown whether phase angle is associated with traditional lifestyle risk factors. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between phase angle, a potentially underutilized assessment of overall health, and behavioral markers such as diet, exercise, and stress.