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Confused About What Your Blood Chemistry is Telling You? part 2

This is the second in a series of posts about what blood tests you need on a yearly basis and what they tell you.

2. Fibrinogen

Fibrinogen levels increase with tissue inflammation. Increased fibrinogen levels can help predict the risk of heart disease and stroke as well as other inflammatory diseases. Obviously with knowledge of increased fibrinogen levels, lifestyle changes become important—such as quitting smoking, losing weight, and becoming more physically active—as well as adding nutritionals such as fish oil, niacin, folic acid and vitamins A and C, which may lower fibrinogen levels.

3. DHEA

DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is a precursor to estrogen and testosterone. In your twenties, levels of DHEA peak and then decline with age, decreasing to 20-30% of peak levels between the ages of 70 and 80. DHEA is frequently referred to as an “anti-aging” hormone. However DHEA is extremely important as we age as healthy levels may support immune function, bone mineral density, mood, libido, reduces abdominal fat, protects the brain following nerve injury, and helps prevent diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.  Research also suggests that DHEA may help with depression and clinical trials are evaluating DHEA’s role in memory and Alzheimer’s.

4.Estradiol

In non-pregnant women, estradiol is the most commonly measured type of estrogen.  Estradiol levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle and drop after menopause to a consistent but lower level . Women with increased levels of estradiol may be at a higher risk for breast or endometrial cancer. Very l ow levels may indicate a higher risk for bone fractures. In fact, in men with osteoporosis, research has shown a correlation with a low estradiol levels. Men do produce smaller amounts of estradiol than women but it is not only an indicator of increased incidence of osteoporosis but is tied to pituitary functions. Also men with low estradiol levels and low levels of testosterone may experience low sex drive and difficulty with urination.

Confused About What Your Blood Chemistry is Telling You?

Many people spend time researching all the supplements and buying more and more of them as they read the latest information about what studies have been done and what new supplement will prevent them from dying of cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer or diabetes – to name a few. But have you checked to see what you are doing to your blood chemistry?

When was the last time you had a comprehensive blood test? Annual blood testing is the most important step adults can take to prevent life-threatening disease. Critical changes in your body can alert you before serious conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or worse occur. Having the proper blood tests can empower you to put together a science-based disease-prevention program that could add decades to your life.

1. Chemistry Panel and Complete Blood Count

This is the basic testing and the best place to begin. This will give you information on your overall health. It provides a broad range of information on your vascular, liver, kidney and blood cell status. The Complete Blood Count (CBC) measures the number, health, variety, percentage, concentration and quality of the red and white blood cells for infections and anemia.

Red blood cells transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and transfer carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Other important components of red blood cells measured are hemoglobin and hematocrit. Low levels of these may indicate deficiencies of iron, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, or folic acid.

White blood cells are an important component of the immune system. Increased levels in the blood are usually associated with bacterial, viral,  or parasitic infections. There are 4 types of white blood cells which are measured and each one is significant in the type of potential disease it can detect.

The Chemistry Profile provides up-to-date information on the status of your cardiovascular system. These tests include total cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein), triglycerides, and total cholesterol/HDL ratio, which is more valuable as a predictor of heart disease than total cholesterol or HDL levels alone.

The endocrine system is responsible for producing hormones throughout the body, one of which is insulin, a regulator of glucose. The Chemistry Panel tests for your resting blood glucose, which helps in detecting early-stage metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Also included in the Chemistry Panel is an assessment of critical minerals such as calcium, potassium, and iron.

While the CBC is a basic test, it provides invaluable information but is only a stepping off point in keeping apprised of your physical health.  Over the next few days we will be discussing additional tests that will provide you with critical data  in maintaining a healthy blood chemistry.

Your Body is Screaming for Water!

One of the most critical nutrients the body requires is water and it’s probably one of the most overlooked parts of our diet. Every bodily function is dependent on our body being hydrated. Water flushes toxins out of vital organs and joint tissue, carries the nutrients to your cells, provides hydration for the tissues such as nose, throat, etc.  and contributes to the production of vital energy.

Glycogen, which is the body’s main source of stored energy, is produced through a process which combines water with glucose.  If there is not enough water, extra amounts of glucose remain in the bloodstream, which increases your blood sugar level and ultimately is stored as fat. 

One of the primary functions of the liver is to metabolize stored fat into energy. The liver needs the kidneys to  filter toxins, wastes, ingested water, and salts out of the bloodstream in order to function properly. If you are dehydrated, the liver must compensate for the kidneys inability to filter out this debris. As a result, the liver metabolizes less fat and therefore more is stored.

Water is also a great natural appetite suppressant. It actually decreases hunger cravings. However, do not drink large quantities of water before a meal, because that will actually dilute the digestive enzymes and prevent proper digestion.

The amount of water you need depends on your diet, your health, your weight, the climate you live in and even the elevation. Some estimates say that you should get 1/2 your body weight in ounces each day through drinking water. Obviously our diet provides water also and therefore it’s important to choose foods that are not calorie laden or are actually diuretics such as caffeine, soda pop or alcohol. 

Besides just drinking water, our skin is another method of providing hydration to our bodies. How many times have you worked out or been outside working or just had a long hard day and then took a shower. It refreshes you partly because you’re re-hydrating. The health of your skin is a great indicator of your body’s hydration level.

While water isn’t a cure-all, certainly there is indication that dehydration may be implicated in the following ailments.

• Headaches   
• Joint & Back Pain
• Anxiety & Depression 
• High Blood Pressure  
• High Cholesterol 
• Fatigue & Insomnia  
• Allergies and Asthma
• Constipation

The evidence is certainly compelling - water is the source of life. So instead of drinking water as an afterthought, put it at the top of your daily routine. It could quiet your body’s screams.

Are Your “Energy Factories” Producing?

As we age, the metabolic activity in our cells decreases which means less energy. Cellular energy is produced by transporting stored fat through the cell membrane and into the mitochondria within the cell, where the fats are oxidized. Overtime cellular debris builds up from the oxidation and less energy is produced. Since energy is necessary for the proper functioning of all our organs, they too are affected by a slowing in our “energy factories“.

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) is the biologically active form of the amino acid, L-carnitine, which aids the body in the production of energy and has been shown to protect cells throughout the body against age-related degeneration. Most clinical research has focused on the brain, where improved mood, memory and cognition have been observed in response to ALC.  A new study shows that ALC helps maintain normal blood flow in the brain by maintaining the cell’s energy cycle.  As people grow older, circulation to the brain diminishes which may cause fatigue, reduced drive, faintness, dizziness, headaches, as well as deficits in attention and memory.  Acetyl-L-carnitine appears to protect against some of the known negative effects that aging induces in the brain. There is a study that even suggests that ALC might someday be used in hospital emergency rooms and stroke recovery centers to improve the prognosis of patients (with thrombotic or embolic stroke) who are often given little hope of full recovery. Acetyl-L-carnitine may also facilitate nerve regeneration after nerve injury. 

However, reports on ALC for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease have been contradictory. Some studies show encouraging signs, while other studies show no benefit. A placebo-controlled study at Stanford University School of Medicine in California showed that Alzheimer’s disease patients under age 62 benefited more from ALC than older patients. The doctors concluded that acetyl-L-carnitine slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in younger subjects. Though this is an important study, Alzheimer’s patients over 61 may want to still consider ALC for its other known neurological benefits, which were not included in this particular study.

Published research shows ALC is critical to youthful cellular function in the brain, heart, liver, peripheral nerve and immune system as well helping in prevention of cataracts. Supplementation with ALC becomes an even greater consideration when we realize the potential anti-aging effects this amino acid may produce when taken in combination with CoQ10 and alpha lipoic acid.

When sugars bind with protein(called glycation), it forms most notably in the lens of the eye (cataract), the brain (senility) and the collagen of the skin.  Scientists recently evaluated the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine on the glycation of lens proteins. The results show that ALC suppresses glycation by 42%, thus lowering the risk of cataracts.

There have been studies focusing on respiration rates in the heart mitochondria of rats. Older rats had a 40% lower rate of respiration and cell energy. But when they received acetyl-L-carnitine, their heart rates were almost entirely restored to a more youthful rate. Acetyl-L-carnitine has actually been used in treating congestive heart failure in humans, as well. 

While research is ongoing, there are certainly indications that supplementing with Acetyl-L-carnitine, alpha lipoic acid and CoQ10 is beneficial in aiding our “energy factories”  to produce efficiently. This, in turn, keeps many organs functioning at a more youthful level.

Pureed Sweet Peas

Taken from the world’s healthiest foods at www.whfoods.org

 

This is a unique way to enjoy green peas that makes a great substitute for mashed potatoes and provides you with extra flavor and nutrition at the same time. And one serving contains 53% of the daily value (DV) for thiamin, 47% DV for vitamin C and 47% DV for vitamin E. Enjoy!

Prep and Cook Time: 15-20 minutes     Ingredients: 8 oz frozen peas 1 medium onion chopped 2 medium cloves garlic, chopped 1 + 2 TBS chicken or vegetable broth 2 TBS sunflower seeds 1 TBS minced fresh herbs such as mint, basil, chervil, or parsley depending on what you are serving peas with salt and white pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Chop onions and garlic and let sit for 5 minutes to help bring out their health-promoting properties.
2. Heat 1 TBS broth in a 10 inch stainless steel skillet. Healthy Sauté onion in broth over medium heat for 4 minutes stirring frequently, until translucent. Add garlic and sauté for another minute.
3. Add 2 TBS broth, peas, herb and cook until tender, about 3 more minutes. Puree in blender with sunflower seeds, season with salt, pepper and serve.Serves 2

Healthy Cooking Tips:

Make sure you blend peas well, stopping the blender ( I use a Vita-Mix)  periodically to scrape the sides with a rubber spatula. You want the sunflower seeds to get well ground. They add a lot of body to the puree of peas. You want them to be nice and smooth.

Update for Vitamin D Deficiency

In the May 1, 2009 issue of American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and women’s Hospital in Boston report a link between insufficient levels of vitamin D and increased severity of asthma in children. 

While this may be a preliminary study, it should certainly raise our awareness of this vitamin and the role it plays in our health and the health of our children.

Remember the blood test for Vitamin D levels is inexpensive and can be easily added on to any blood test you may have.

The Vitamin D Deficiency Epidemic

Do you know what your Vitamin D level is? Chances are you don’t and chances are it’s low. Research seems to be coming out almost daily about the effects of Vitamin D deficiency and how many people are deficient. Estimates range from about 35% in young people to 100% in the elderly.
There is a growing awareness of how critical Vitamin D is to our health. There have been many studies on various diseases and conditions which point to Vitamin D deficiency as playing a relevant role.
Recent research indicates thatthe following may be associated with Vitamin D deficiency:

• rheumatoid arthritis
• cognitive impairment and dementia.
• hypertension which may cause high blood pressure
• metabolic syndrome, a precursor to type II diabetes
• heart disease

As you can see most of the above are related to inflammation. People with higher levels of Vitamin D also have better lung capacity, something that could be important to asthma sufferers.

Vitamin D is not something we get in large quantities from food but rather something we absorb from sunshine. As we have become a society who spends more and more time indoors or covered up when we’re outdoors, our Vitamin D levels have dropped. And many of us live in northern climes where, at least in the winter months, there may not be a lot of sunshine. Although surprisingly, there is a large number of people in states like Florida and Texas with below normal Vitamin D levels. Taking Vitamin D3 supplements is an inexpensive and simple solution which scientists believe will give us more protection against many diseases that are on the rise.

A Healthy Bite

1 package of extra firm Tofu – drained, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1/3 c low-sodium soy sauce or Braggs
1/3 c lime juice
3 Tblsp sesame oil

Mix these 3 ingredients together and marinate the tofu 1-4 hours. Place tofu on a baking sheet so the cubes aren’t touching and roast for about 20 minutes, turning once, until golden brown.

This makes a great snack – it’s low in calories, high in protein. Add some veggies and you’ve got a meal on the run.

Lowering Your Risk of Heart Disease or Diabetes

Continuing on the subject of inflammation there is more and more evidence that  the risk of heart disease and/or diabetes can be greatly reduced by lowering inflammation. 

Are you at high risk for heart disease or diabetes? During your yearly blood work, note the level of CRP (C-reactive Protein). This is a measure of hidden inflammation – it shows if there is inflammation active in your blood vessels, for instance. If the levels of CRP are high (>3.0 mg/L) the risk of a heart attack can double or triple.  This is something you need to discuss with your doctor to understand what your individual risk is.

There are, however, several lifestyle changes one can make if you are at high risk and everyone should follow as a matter of staying healthy. 

1. Exercise:  30-60 minutes/day has been shown in studies to significantly reduce inflammation – this should include aerobic as well as strength training.
2. Weight loss improves insulin response and lowers inflammation.
3. Eating Healthy – one diet that seems to be an overall diet to follow is the Mediterranean diet. It is primarily fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, nuts and fish with basically no processed foods.

 

 

Besides these three critical things to do, supplements of fish oil (Omega 3 fatty acids)  and Vitamin D can greatly reduce inflammation as well as improve other important functions. There are many other supplements that have been found t o reduce inflammation as well, such as DHEA, chromium, white bean extract, magnesium and flavinoids. Flavinoids are found in green tea, dark chocolate, apples and cinnamon as well as red wine which contains resveratrol. 

Start making small changes in your lifestyle now and you will over time make large changes in the quality of life you will experience. Of course, you should discuss with your doctor the changes you are making as you may have special needs.