Sep 29, 2018
“How can I optimize my health and longevity?”
“How can I live a long time and feel good doing it?”
“What supplements should I take for peak performance?”
“What should my ideal diet look like?”
Honestly, without any data about your blood and biomarkers, you have no idea.
This is because unless you know what your blood looks like under a microscope, there is no way for you to identify with 100% confidence what steps you should take to eat the right diet, to take the right supplements, to protect your health, to enhance your well-being, to perform at peak capacity, and perhaps most importantly, to live as long as possible with as high a quality of life as possible.
Enter blood testing.
Blood testing is the most important step you can take to identify and prevent life-threatening diseases before they happen to you. With your blood test results in hand, you can catch critical issues in your body before they manifest as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or worse. Knowledge of exactly what is going on inside your body empowers you to implement a science-based disease-prevention program that can literally add decades of healthy years to your life. And if your goal is to not only stop disease, but to also perform at your peak physical and cognitive capacity, blood testing is absolutely crucial for identifying which diet, which supplements and which lifestyle steps you should take to optimize your specific and unique health parameters.
But sadly, most annual medical check-ups that the average physician orders are simply routine, old-school blood tests that don't even test for the most important markers of disease risk, and that are simply designed to make sure you're “not dying”. They aren't designed to optimize longevity or to ensure your body is completely primed to perform at peak capacity.
What most people don't realize is that you can skip your physician and simply manage the entire process for getting your blood work done yourself. And if you want to test absolutely every little thing that affects your organs, your energy, your hormones, your health and your longevity, then you've found the ultimate answer.
I worked closely with WellnessFX, America's top laboratory for concierge blood testing and online access to all your blood testing results, to develop the Longevity Blood Testing Panel For Men and Longevity Blood Testing Panel For Women, which is the most complete blood testing package for men that money can buy.
This is by far the most comprehensive blood testing package I recommend and is designed for the high performer, biohacker or anti-aging enthusiast who wants access to the same type of executive health panel and screening that would normally cost tens of thousands of dollars at a longevity institute.
The panel I discuss in today's podcast dives deep into overall metabolic functioning for optimal long-term health and longevity, and includes thyroid function, stress response, blood glucose regulation, sex hormone balance, heavy metals, inflammation, organs of detoxification (liver, kidneys, gallbladder, and lungs), proteins, electrolytes, blood oxygen and nutrient delivery, immune system status, vitamin D status and much, much more, including:
- 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D
- Apolipoprotein A-1
- Apolipoprotein B
- Blood Lead
- Blood Mercury
- Cardio IQ Lipoprotein Fractionation
- Ion Mobility
- Complete Blood Count w/ differential
- Complete Metabolic Panel
- Copper
- Cortisol
- Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
- Ferritin, serum
- Fibrinogen
- Folate
- Free Fatty Acids
- Hemoglobin A1c
- Homocysteine
- High-sensitivity C-reactive protein
- IGF-1 (Growth hormone surrogate)
- Insulin
- Iron, TIBC
- Lipid Panel
- Lipoprotein (a)
- Luteinizing Hormone
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids
- RBC Magnesium
- Reverse T-3
- Selenium
- SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin)
- T-3 Total
- T-3 Uptake
- T-4 (Thyroxine)
- T-3 Free
- T-4 Free
- Testosterone + Free Testosterone
- Thiamine
- Thyroglobulin Antibodies
- Thyroid Peroxidase AB
- TSH
- Uric Acid
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
- Zinc
- Estradiol
As you can see, I've held nothing back and covered all bases with this customized blood panel. You will not find a test this comprehensive anywhere else, guaranteed. From identifying disease to optimizing longevity and anti-aging to maximizing performance, this test gives you absolutely everything you need. During this podcast, in which I cover my own results from my recent longevity panel, you'll discover:
- My own process of testing my blood.
- I had 19 tubes of blood drawn; you typically have 3-5 tubes drawn in a blood test.
- My motivation: What if you want the same type of blood test that would be tens of thousands of dollars at a longevity center?
- I wanted to advise myself with more precision than typical blood tests such as TSH.
- I designed a package with Wellness FX, for men and women.
- I do this on a quarterly basis; although once a year (or once per life) is sufficient for most people.
- First thing you see on the report: cardiovascular health.
- Basic lipid panel.
- Risk factors: Red (high caution); orange (pay attention); green (good to go).
- A lot of red doesn't necessarily mean a bad thing; all green doesn't necessarily mean all good either.
- My total cholesterol is red: 267.
- High cholesterol isn't a risk factor; it's when it becomes oxidized.
- My HDL levels are through the roof: 151.
- High level of HDL could mean your body is carrying a lot of metabolites to the liver due to constant inflammation.
- I tested all my inflammations, all very low.
- Question to ask: are you a lean mass hyper responder?
- Could have a higher LDLP particle count.
- High HDL, inflammation is low, not of concern.
- High cholesterol and high inflammation, be concerned.
- Below lipid panel you'll see LDL particles.
- I use the Thorne multivitamin.
- The chlorogenic acid you find in artichoke extract is efficacious in lowering APOB
- My peak LDL size has been climbing; ideally I want it above
222 1/2.
- My LDL particle count is actually low.
- Small low density lipoprotein low compared to peak LDL size.
- Overall I'm happy with my results. Look for increase in the size of my LDL particles.
“How can I live a long time and feel good doing it?”
- Free fatty acids associated with diabetes and heart disease.
- Omega Index: two different fatty acids in your red blood cells.
- Arachidonic acid levels are normal; I feel like I could step up my Omega 6 fatty acid intake. (Sprinkle hemp seeds on your salad.)
- Metabolic health:
- Risk factors for diabetes and insulin resistance. You want your insulin levels relatively low.
- Wellness FX will give suggestions on how to lower insulin levels.
- My blood glucose level wasn't concerning, but a bit higher than normal.
- Homa IR score: Takes both glucose and insulin levels into account. A ratio of glucose vs. insulin.
- Thyroid health:
- You typically see only TSH. Mine has much more...
- My antibodies to thyroid are very low.
- Reverse T3 is very low; not concerned about stress.
- Free thyroxin index is normal.
- Thyroid peroxidase is a target of antibodies.
- I have low T3, T4, both total and free.
- My natural weight is 190-195; my actual weight is 175. I rarely eat until I'm full.
- Metabolic hormones:
- IGF is a bit low; I'll take colostrum for this.
- Cortisol:
- It's at 24; I want it between 2-20.
- If it's elevated on one snapshot, consider testing again.
- Cortisol metabolites.
- Dutch test for hormones. (link needed)
- Liver and Kidneys:
- High levels of creatinine; if you exercise prior to a lab test, the creatinine will be elevated.
- Blood urea nitrogen elevated. Forms when proteins break down. Elevates when people are a) dehydrated or b) exercised the day prior to the test.
- My liver values are of concern. ALT when elevated mildly not of concern; mine have raised each of the last 3 tests.
- Foods that are good for the liver.
- “What supplements should I take for peak performance?”
- Milk thistle
- Holy basil
- Dandelion root
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. I may fall into this
category.
- Metabolism Reset Diet by Dr. Allen Christianson (link needed)
- Something I do to sleep on int'l flights: an edible of marijuana. Metabolized by the liver; could have contributed to my high levels.
- Electrolytes
- Looking at Co2 and chloride levels.
- My Co2 has dropped.
- Bone health:
- More Vitamin D is not better; Above 80 you have increased risk of mortality.
- If calcium is abnormal, can be caused by abnormal albumin.
- The blood:
- You have two components of your blood: cellular (red, white, platelets) and liquid (plasma).
- My mean platelet volume is okay.
- My white blood cell count looks great. Either too little or too much can lead to mortality.
- Red blood cells: Look great. I spend time in the sauna which is great for blood production.
- My iron levels are fine.
- An extra steak or two per week wouldn't kill me.
- Floradix (link)
- Vitamins and minerals:
- Folic acid is essential for DNA synthesis.
- When folate is high, it could mean using a lousy multivitamin.
- Vitamin B12 is required for proper nerve function; mine is through the roof.
- Vitamin A is in perfect amount.
- Red blood cell magnesium the most precise way to measure magnesium in cells.
- Copper needed in trace amounts.
- Zinc important for nails, DNA synthesis, chronic disease management; too much causes bad breath, excessive sweating. Black ant extract is great for zinc.
Resources from this episode:
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-Longevity Blood Testing Panel For Men
-Longevity Blood Testing Panel For Women
-Click here for a 20 to 60-minute consulting session with Ben to review your own results
-Are You A Lean Mass Hyperresponder?
-Almsbio Glutathione with Q10
-Top testosterone hacks article
-Swiss Healing Retreat - Detox with Ben Greenfield
-Radical Metabolism by Anne Louise Gittleman
-The Metabolism Reset Diet by Alan Christianson
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Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for me about these lab results? Leave your comments below and I'll reply ASAP!