Losing Muscle Could Also Increase Your Dementia Odds, Reveals New Study

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Losing Muscle Could Also Increase Your Dementia Odds, Reveals New Study

The lead researcher believes this "could be an important warning sign" for future assessments.

As we age, it’s normal to gradually lose some muscle. But when that loss becomes more significant and starts affecting your strength or ability to get around, it could be sarcopenia—an age-related decline in muscle mass, strength, and physical function.

Maintaining muscle is key to staying strong, mobile, and independent as you get older. And according to new research, there may be another reason to prioritize muscle health: Sarcopenia was linked to a higher risk of developing dementia.

What the study found

To better understand the link between muscle health, body weight, and dementia, an international team of researchers led by Curtin University in Australia analyzed 83 studies published between 2005 and 2026, including 14 that specifically examined sarcopenia.

In the studies examining sarcopenia, researchers assessed participants’ muscle health using measures like muscle mass, grip strength, and walking speed, then followed them over time to see who developed dementia. When the results were combined, people with sarcopenia had a 42% higher risk of developing dementia compared with those without the condition.

“Our findings suggest losing muscle could be an important warning sign for dementia risk,” says lead study author Dr. Uraiporn Booranasuksakul in a Curtin University press release.

Interestingly, the researchers also found a difference in the link between obesity and dementia depending on age. The study revealed that middle-aged people under 65 who were obese had a 9% higher risk of dementia, while obesity among those 65 and older was associated with a 17% lower risk of dementia.

They also looked at sarcopenic obesity—when someone has both low muscle mass or function and excess body fat—but found “no statistically significant link” between the condition and dementia.

What this means for healthy aging

Although the obesity findings were surprising, the researchers say it’s not a reason to gain weight as you age—it simply highlights that the link between aging, body weight, and dementia is layered.

“There is still a lot we don’t know about how changes in muscle and body fat interact over time,” corresponding author and professor Mario Siervo of Curtin’s School of Population Health adds in the press release.

While the study shows an association and does not prove that sarcopenia directly causes dementia, the findings offer another reason to prioritize muscle health as you get older. Staying physically active, incorporating strength training, and getting enough protein can all help preserve muscle mass and strength with age—and support your overall health along the way.

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