3 Essential Blood Tests EVERYBODY Should get Annually - Dr. G's Quick Health Tip | EP 314.B
Aug 22, 2024
auto_awesome
In this engaging discussion, Dr. G, a health expert, emphasizes the importance of comprehensive blood tests for a complete health assessment. He highlights key tests like fasting insulin, vitamin D, and homocysteine levels, showcasing their roles in metabolic and immune health. Strength training and hiking are presented as effective strategies to optimize insulin sensitivity. Dr. G encourages proactive health advocacy, empowering listeners to request necessary tests from their doctors. Plus, he shares the benefits of nutritious snacking, featuring pistachios as a fantastic option!
Fasting insulin testing is essential for assessing metabolic flexibility and identifying potential insulin resistance to guide dietary changes.
Regular testing for vitamin D levels and homocysteine can prevent deficiencies and identify cardiovascular risks, ensuring better overall health.
Deep dives
The Benefits of Fasting Insulin Testing
Fasting insulin testing is crucial for assessing metabolic flexibility, which indicates how effectively the body switches between burning sugar and fat. High fasting insulin levels lead to fat storage, making it essential to achieve a level of 10 or below, with the ideal target being 6 or less. This measure can reveal metabolic issues that typical blood glucose tests may miss, allowing for early intervention and dietary changes. For individuals experiencing insulin resistance, modifying diet according to guidelines can significantly lower fasting insulin levels over time.
Understanding Insulin Resistance Scores
Insulin resistance scores, represented by the HOMA IR metric, assess how well muscle cells respond to insulin. A score of 1 or lower is desirable, indicating minimal resistance, while higher scores suggest that the body is struggling to utilize insulin effectively, leading to fat accumulation. To combat this issue, engaging in strength training, especially focusing on the legs, has been shown to enhance muscle sensitivity to insulin. Incorporating simple exercises such as squats and planks can also support metabolic health by making muscles more responsive to insulin signals.
Importance of Vitamin D and Homocysteine Testing
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent, even in sunny regions, making testing vital for maintaining immune health and hormonal balance. Recommended levels for optimal health lie between 100-150 nanograms per milliliters, necessitating a proper intake of vitamin D3 and K2 supplements. Additionally, testing for homocysteine levels can help identify potential cardiovascular risks, particularly for those with the MTHFR gene mutation affecting B vitamin metabolism. Using sublingual forms of vitamin B12 and folate can aid in managing elevated homocysteine levels effectively.
Unfortunately, the blood work your doctor orders at your yearly exam might not provide a complete picture of your health.
The good news is that comprehensive blood tests are available; you just need to ask for them. In this episode, I'll share the most important tests you should be requesting!
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode