Endocrine System | A Metabolic Plan

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.

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.

More »

Powered by Bookmarkify™

No Comments

DHEA has been studied for years and as we age our levels decline (in fact our level of DHEA may signify how fast we age).

As teenagers and young adults, our DHEA levels are at their peak until around age 35. Men notice the decline because they aren’t building the muscle they used to. Energy levels decrease. Exactly how many bodily functions DHEA affects isn’t known but there are about 150 that have been documented and some scientists believe it is over 400.

There is a new study out this month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition which has shown that DHEA supplements along with calcium and Vitamin D improve bone density in older women. Osteoporosis (bone thinning) affects millions of older people, women in particular, as DHEA seems to decline more sharply as they go through menopause. This study shows DHEA stimulates bone formation and aides in calcium absorption when combined with Vitamin D and calcium supplementation.

Not only are DHEA levels important in improving bone density but severely low levels of DHEA are found in women with Lupus – again Lupus is common in women who have gone through menopause.
While many of the symptoms of menopause are caused by the loss of estrogen, there are also side effects associated with the drop in DHEA and testosterone in addition to bone density, including:

Decreased libido
Decreased strength
Decreased muscle mass
Decreased energy

Men also experience some of these symptoms of lower DHEA.

Increasing DHEA levels causes improvements in the whole endocrine system, lowers the risk for atherosclerosis, improves memory and learning ability. DHEA replacement may have other benefits including improvements in risk factors for diabetes and heart disease, improvements in immune function, and improvements in psychological health. The list goes on and on.

DHEA replacement can be an important part of your supplemental regime. Begin by getting a DHEA sulfate blood test – that’s the most accurate. If you’re over 30 and have low DHEA, you may want to consider supplementing with a small dose of DHEA/7 Keto DHEA. I recommend Univera’s Prime. Remember start slow and retest your levels in 60-90 days. You’re not going to notice a change overnight. And as always, check with your doctor.