A DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan is a safe, non-invasive, and highly accurate imaging technique that measures body composition and bone density. It uses two low-dose X-ray beams that pass through the body, with bones absorbing more radiation than soft tissues. This difference enables precise calculations of bone mineral density, lean muscle mass, and fat distribution.
How DEXA Goes Beyond Weight and BMI
Unlike weight or BMI, which offer only surface-level insight, DEXA gives a detailed breakdown of how your body is truly composed, including the critical distinction between visceral fat (fat surrounding your organs) and subcutaneous fat (fat beneath the skin). These two types of fat affect the body in very different ways, with visceral fat being strongly linked to inflammation, insulin resistance, and an increased risk of disease. With this deeper understanding, clinicians can identify health risks earlier and tailor more effective interventions.
Benefits for Body Composition Goals
DEXA scans are particularly valuable for individuals actively working to transform their body composition, whether through fat loss, muscle gain, or managing chronic conditions. Because fat and muscle weigh differently and can change at the same time, relying solely on the scale can be misleading; muscle is denser than fat, so even if your weight remains steady, you may be losing fat and gaining muscle, both positive changes that improve overall health and function.
Regular DEXA assessments provide precise, data-driven insights that enable personalized adjustments to nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle plans, supporting sustainable progress and long-term success.
Weight Loss, VO₂ Max & Visceral Fat
Intentional, targeted weight loss—particularly the reduction of harmful visceral fat—has been shown to significantly improve physical function and decrease chronic inflammation, which is especially important for individuals facing neurological or metabolic challenges.
Although it’s not possible to “spot-reduce” fat in specific areas of the body, strategic lifestyle interventions can effectively lower overall visceral fat levels and enhance metabolic health.
The Role of VO₂ Max in Fat Reduction
One of the most impactful ways to achieve this is by increasing your VO₂ max, which measures how efficiently your body consumes and utilizes oxygen during physical activity. Increasing VO₂ max goes hand in hand with regular aerobic exercises such as running, cycling, or swimming, as these activities progressively challenge your cardiovascular system, improving oxygen delivery and utilization.
Along with interval training and strength conditioning, these exercises not only boost cardiovascular endurance but also accelerate the body’s ability to burn visceral fat. These physical activities help shift your metabolism toward greater fat utilization, particularly in the abdominal region where visceral fat is stored.
Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategies
When combined with a balanced diet that minimizes intake of refined sugars and processed carbohydrates, these lifestyle changes work synergistically to reduce insulin resistance and lower systemic inflammation. This holistic approach supports better energy metabolism and plays a critical role in promoting long-term health, improved mobility, and enhanced quality of life, especially for those managing chronic neurological or metabolic conditions.
Why DEXA Matters in Movement Disorders
For those living with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, or other neurological conditions, maintaining muscle and bone mass is critical. These conditions often lead to reduced physical activity, which accelerates muscle loss (sarcopenia) and bone loss (osteoporosis). With less stimulation from regular movement, the body weakens over time, often without noticeable symptoms until a fall or fracture occurs.
While intentional fat loss through structured nutrition and exercise can improve health outcomes, unintentional fat mass loss in neurodegenerative conditions like ALS is often a marker of disease progression. A 2021 study published in PLOS ONE by Lee et al. found that “loss of percentage body fat and total fat mass index during follow-up correlated significantly with monthly decline”. The authors emphasized that “measurement of body composition with DEXA might serve as a biomarker for rapid disease progression in ALS.”
DEXA scans enable the early detection of these silent changes, helping to guide preventive strategies that protect independence, mobility, and overall quality of life. By periodically monitoring body composition, it is possible to slow the physical decline often seen in these conditions and create personalized interventions.
DEXA: A Tool for Personalized, Preventive Care
Ultimately, DEXA is more than just a scan—it’s a guide to truly understanding your body. Whether you’re aiming to lose weight, manage a chronic condition, or simply feel stronger and healthier, DEXA provides the measurable data you need to stay on track.
The Neurology Solutions Clinic Approach
At Neurology Solutions Clinic (NSC), we go beyond managing symptoms—we focus on healing from the inside out. Our holistic approach combines medical expertise with personalized metabolic optimization. We address the root causes of neurological decline, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalances.
Using advanced tools such as DEXA scans, red light therapy, and infrared sauna, we create integrative care plans designed to restore balance and function. Every patient receives a tailored nutrition plan and exercise program with a physical therapist, ensuring progress is both effective and sustainable.
At NSC, we believe true healing happens when we treat the whole person, not just the diagnosis.