4 Biomarkers Everyone Should Know About Themselves

Disclaimer: Not Medical Advice. Opinions are my own.

In Partnership with Levels

Progress can be challenging to quantify, especially on your wellness journey.
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Nothing feels better than looking in the mirror and seeing your hard work from the gym start paying off or when you put on your favorite jeans, and they fit better than you can remember.

However, conscious eating and daily movement aren't strictly about looks and numbers on a scale.

Knowing the data by taking a look 'under the hood' is equally important.

So, in today's newsletter, we will tackle 4 Biomarkers that everyone should know about themselves and why.

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Hemoglobin A1C

In 1985, 0 states had an obesity rate above 20%.

Now, 0 states have an obesity rate below 20%.

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Type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases have skyrocketed in the past 30 years.

As a result, cardiovascular, neurological, and many other diseases have increased.

Many of my heart surgery patients I see daily have some form of metabolic disease.

The great news is you can modulate or drastically impact metabolic disease with lifestyle changes.

How can you test to see where you are at with your metabolic health?

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a blood test that tracks the average blood sugar (glucose) levels over the past 2 to 3 months.

It measures the percentage of hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen) coated with sugar (glycated).

The higher your blood sugar levels have been, the more sugar attaches to hemoglobin, and the higher your HbA1c level will be.

I personally contacted Levels, the sponsor of today's newsletter, to help me better understand which foods affect my glucose levels daily.

Truthfully, I was shocked by how much some of my favorite 'healthy' foods spiked my blood sugar. In addition, I've learned that a simple 10-15-minute walk after a meal helps regulate my glucose spikes.

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CRP

Our bodies, and, in fact, every cell in our body, want to be in homeostasis or balance.

However, food and drinks, daily household products, air quality, and chronic stress can stoke inflammation throughout the body.

Inflammation is one of the core drivers of chronic diseases.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a blood test that tracks inflammation levels in the body.

The liver produces CRP in response to inflammation, and higher levels in the blood indicate that some form of inflammation is occurring, which may be due to infection, injury, or chronic diseases.

Reasonable lifestyle changes, such as a whole-food, unprocessed diet, a consistent fitness program, and chronic stress management, can significantly impact your full-body inflammation.

Vitamin D

Not getting a sufficient amount of vitamin D can potentially lead to the following:
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1. Bone and Joint Pain

• Vitamin D helps in calcium absorption. A deficiency can cause bone and joint pain.

2. Fatigue and Tiredness

• Chronic low energy levels, even with adequate rest, can indicate low vitamin D.

3. Frequent Illnesses or Infections

• Vitamin D plays a crucial role in immune system function, and deficiency can make individuals more susceptible to infections like colds and the flu.

4. Mood Changes and Depression

• Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to mood swings and an increased risk of depression, particularly in older adults.

5. Slow Wound Healing

• Vitamin D deficiency can impair the body’s ability to heal wounds properly after injury or surgery.

6. Bone Fractures and Weakness (Osteomalacia)

• In adults, a deficiency can cause soft bones (osteomalacia), increasing the risk of fractures.

7. Muscle Weakness

• Weakness in muscles, cramps, or pain may be experienced, especially in the elderly.

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Getting the appropriate amount of vitamin D for your body is crucial to avoiding vitamin D deficiency.

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Here are a few practices to increase the amount of vitamin D your body is being exposed to:

• Safe Sun exposure: About 10-30 minutes of midday sun several times a week (depending on skin type and location).

• Diet: Eating foods rich in vitamin D, such as fortified milk, fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), and egg yolks.

• Supplements: Vitamin D supplements may be necessary for those unable to get enough sunlight or dietary vitamin D, especially during winter.

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Lipid Panel

A general lipid panel, also known as a cholesterol test, measures the levels of different lipids in the blood.

The lipid panel can help assess one's risk for heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke.

What does a lipid panel identify?

1. Total Cholesterol: Measures overall cholesterol levels in your blood.

2. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol: Often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, high levels can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries.

3. High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol: Known as “good” cholesterol, it helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream.

4. Triglycerides: High levels can increase the risk of heart disease, especially in conjunction with high LDL and low HDL levels.

Getting a lipid panel done on a routine basis can help with early detection of Hypercholesterolemia.

Once again, lifestyle changes can significantly impact your lipid panel: diet, exercise, and sleep hygiene are the pillars to start with, and then, if necessary, medication (under a physician's watch).

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Track Progress

Understanding your biomarker data will give you a tangible baseline of your current health 'under the hood.'
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More importantly, you can use your blood biomarkers as a tool to track the progress of your fitness plan, conscious nutrition plan, supplements, or medication prescribed by your physician.
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Answering the question of how is my overall health becomes much more evident with hard data.

You don't know until you truly know.

Understanding your current health state is essential for directing a solid program that works for you.

We each have our own instruction manual - work to devise one that is right for you.

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All the best,

Jeremy London, MD