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Appendicular Lean Mass Index and Why It Matters
All NiaHealth tests are processed in Canadian-certified labs, which are highly trusted by the medical community for their accuracy and reliability. Blood and urine samples are collected by licensed medical professionals and processed using state-of-the-art equipment. NiaHealth is SOC2 Type 2 certified.
What is it?
Appendicular Lean Mass Index (ALMI) is a measurement that assesses the amount of lean mass in the arms and legs relative to a person's height. It specifically focuses on the limbs, excluding the trunk, head and neck.
Why it matters
ALMI plays a crucial role in functional independence, metabolic health, and mobility. Preserving and increasing appendicular lean mass through exercise and proper nutrition is vital for maintaining overall health, reducing the risk of metabolic diseases, and promoting longevity and independence. Another closely related metric often discussed alongside ALMI is Lean Mass Index (LMI). LMI is the Lean Mass Index is the total lean body mass (essentially muscle and organs) divided by your height-squared. ALMI is the lean body mass of arms and legs divided by your height-squared. It can be argued that this is a more accurate measurement because it is not skewed by the mass of your organs.
Reference ranges
- At Risk: NiaHealth defines at risk ALMI as lower lean mass (muscle) within your arms and legs relative to your height than 50% of the population when matched for age and sex.
- Normal: NiaHealth defines normal ALMI as lean mass (muscle) within your arms and legs relative to your height of between 50-90% of the population when matched for age and sex.
- Optimal: NiaHealth defines optimal ALMI as greater lean mass (muscle) within your arms and legs relative to your height than 90% of the population when matched for age and sex.
Xu J, Wan CS, Ktoris K, Reijnierse EM, Maier AB. Sarcopenia Is Associated with Mortality in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Gerontology. 2022;68(4):361-376. doi: 10.1159/000517099. Epub 2021 Jul 27. PMID: 34315158.
Ofenheimer, A., Breyer-Kohansal, R., Hartl, S. et al. Reference values of body composition parameters and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) by DXA in adults aged 18–81 years—results from the LEAD cohort. Eur J Clin Nutr 74, 1181–1191 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-020-0596-5
This information is educational and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your results should be interpreted with a qualified healthcare professional in the context of your health history.
