#174 - Biomarkers, Biological Rhythms, and Bloodwork | Dr. Azure Grant & Ben Grynol
Sep 26, 2022
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Dr. Azure Grant and Ben Grynol discuss the importance of regular bloodwork, including key biomarkers like glucose, lipids, CRP, and hormones. They explore the interconnectedness of hormones and overall health, emphasizing the impact on metabolism, fertility, and mental health. The podcast also delves into the concept of network physiology and the potential insights gained from measuring multiple biomarkers.
Regular bloodwork is important for understanding metabolic health and monitoring biomarkers such as fasting insulin, lipid particle size, cytokines, and CRP.
Continuous monitoring of hormones like LH, estrogen, and progesterone can provide insights into fertility tracking and reproductive health, aiding in family planning and overall well-being.
Monitoring blood glucose and hormone levels through continuous monitoring can offer personalized insights into metabolic health, inflammation, and overall wellness, allowing for early detection of imbalances or health conditions.
Deep dives
Blood work markers for metabolic health
Blood work markers such as fasting insulin, lipid particle size, cytokines, and CRP are important for understanding metabolic health. They fluctuate depending on lifestyle factors, impact how our body metabolizes food, and provide insights into liver function, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation levels. Continuous monitoring of these markers can help individuals make informed decisions about their health.
The importance of continuous hormone monitoring for fertility
Continuous monitoring of hormones like LH, estrogen, and progesterone can provide valuable insights for fertility tracking. Patterns and levels of these hormones can indicate ovulation, hormonal imbalances, and reproductive health issues such as PCOS and menopause. Continuous monitoring allows for more accurate prediction and analysis than single-time point measurements, improving family planning and overall reproductive health.
Enhancing understanding of hormones and their role in health
Continuous monitoring of blood glucose and hormone levels can provide a more comprehensive understanding of how hormones affect health. Tracking high-frequency patterns and changes in hormones like LH, estrogen, and insulin can help identify patterns related to metabolic health, inflammation, and overall wellness. Continuous monitoring allows for personalized insights and early detection of hormonal imbalances or health conditions.
Understanding Cortisol and its Role in Health
Cortisol, often associated with stress, is actually a hormone that plays a complex role in our health. While heightened cortisol can be detrimental, there is also a positive form called eustress, which is beneficial for activities like athletic performance. Understanding when cortisol helps us and when it hinders our health is crucial. Cortisol levels rise in the morning, providing us with wakefulness and mobilizing energy stores. However, cortisol levels should not stay elevated throughout the day, as chronic elevation can lead to health issues such as adrenal fatigue. Monitoring cortisol and recognizing the difference between acute spikes and chronic elevation is important in maintaining a balanced state of health.
The Significance of Estrogen, Progesterone, and Luteinizing Hormone in Women's Health
Estrogen, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone (LH) are valuable hormones to monitor continuously, as they have significant impacts on metabolic and overall health. Estrogen levels rise in the morning, contributing to wakefulness and mobilizing energy stores. Understanding the pattern of estrogen changes throughout the menstrual cycle is essential, as it affects insulin sensitivity and carbohydrate tolerance. Progesterone, on the other hand, remains at low levels until around the time of egg release in the ovulatory cycle. Progesterone is crucial for preparing the uterus for fertilization. Hormonal fluctuations during different stages of a woman's life impact metabolism, the way food is metabolized, and even exercise. Monitoring these hormone levels can provide valuable insights into women's health and guide personalized approaches to diet and exercise.
Doing regular bloodwork can help you spot when your body drifts off course - and help you tie your blood glucose to clinical metrics. But how does bloodwork really change over time? Here’s a deep dive between Azure Grant and Ben Grynol on why getting regular bloodwork done is important, which biomarkers are important to pay attention to, and how it’s directly linked to metabolic health. Look for multiple new shows per week on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations about metabolic health and how the Levels startup team builds a wellness movement from the ground up in the health and wellness tech industry.
Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.
Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.