By Paul Dexter, Copyright 2014

Increasing your muscle mass and bone mass has a myriad of health benefits.

Here is what you should know before you frown upon gaining a few pounds of muscle mass.
(Keep in mind…. A pound of fat vs. a pound of muscle is the size equivalent of a pound of cotton vs. a pound of stones. Muscle is extremely dense. There is no risk of weight training making one “bulky”.)

1. The more muscle and bone mass you have, the greater the acid buffering power you create. That is, you now have more protein, potassium, magnesium and calcium to buffer the acidity in your body. The more alkaline you are:
   • The greater the endurance potential of the body.
   • The greater you immune power is, the better your chances of surviving cancer or the swine flu.
2. According to Tufts University, the greater your muscle mass the greater the longevity potential. It is, in fact, the number one biomarker of longevity. It is a far better predictor of longevity than your total cholesterol or blood pressure.
3. The more muscle you have, the more insulin receptor sites you have, and the more sensitive they will be. Increased muscle prevents diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Translation: the more muscle you have, the easier it is to have low body fat.
4. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn at rest. It is estimated that for every pound of muscle you gain – you burn an extra 50 calories per day.
5. The more muscle you have, the more strength you have. According to Tufts University, this is the number two predictor of Longevity. In addition, strength for a man or a woman is very empowering.
6. Body composition changes. If you were lucky enough to gain a pound of lean mass for every pound of fat lost. You would actually weigh the same, but due to the fact that lean mass is far more dense than fat (see above)…. you would actually be smaller, leaner, and have a faster metabolism.

Think twice before you skip that next workout!