Track Your Most Important Data: Your Health
We carefully track finances, fitness, and productivity goals, but when was the last time you checked your metabolic health? Gary Brecka puts it best: “An entrepreneur knows every line item on their balance sheet, but they don’t know their own metabolic health.” Bloodwork is more than a medical test; it’s a personalized guide to how your body functions, what it needs, and what’s holding it back.
Beyond Routine Blood Tests: Know What to Look For
Standard blood panels provide limited insights. Comprehensive bloodwork dives deeper, revealing essential markers like:
- Vitamins & Minerals: Deficiencies in nutrients like vitamin D, magnesium, or zinc can weaken immunity, energy, and cognitive function.
- Hormone Health: Key hormones, including cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and insulin, play vital roles in maintaining weight, energy, and sleep quality.
- Inflammatory Markers: Markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) can provide early warnings of chronic inflammation, which often drives heart disease, arthritis, and autoimmune conditions.
- Gene Mutations and Methylation: Up to 60% of people have gene mutations, like the MTHFR mutation, that can interfere with methylation—a key biochemical process the body uses to detoxify, produce energy, and create DNA. Knowing about these mutations through bloodwork can help identify supplements, like methylated B vitamins, to optimize health by supporting effective methylation and reducing the risk of health issues related to poor gene function.
Cholesterol: It’s All About Ratios
Take cholesterol, for instance—a topic Gary Brecka and many others often clarify. Many people are concerned when they see high cholesterol numbers, but it’s essential to look at the ratios that truly matter. If your triglyceride-to-HDL ratio and LDL particle size are in a healthy range, your cholesterol levels are typically not a cause for concern. Here’s why:
- Triglyceride-to-HDL Ratio: This ratio is a more accurate predictor of heart health than total cholesterol alone. A lower ratio (ideally below 2) often indicates a healthier lipid profile.
- LDL Particle Size: Rather than focusing on the LDL count, you should also look at LDL particle size. Larger, fluffy LDL particles are less likely to lead to plaque buildup, while small, dense LDL particles pose a greater risk.
Why Cholesterol is Vital for Hormone Production
Cholesterol isn’t just about heart health; it’s essential for producing several key hormones. Cholesterol is a precursor to:
- Cortisol: Known as the stress hormone, cortisol is essential for managing our body’s stress response, maintaining blood pressure, and reducing inflammation. Without adequate cholesterol, cortisol levels can become imbalanced, potentially leading to issues with stress management and inflammation control.
- Sex Hormones (Estrogen, Testosterone, Progesterone): Cholesterol is a building block for all sex hormones. Without sufficient cholesterol, the body may struggle to produce these hormones in adequate amounts, which could impact everything from energy and mood to reproductive health.
When Ratios Are Off: Dietary Adjustments
If your triglycerides are elevated or your cholesterol levels are out of balance, diet can be a powerful tool. Consider eliminating processed foods, artificial sugars, and toxic seed oils, and instead focus on an animal-based, whole foods diet rich in nutrients. Prioritize animal protein—especially red meat, eggs, and fish, as well as other essential superfoods such as raw milk, honey, and butter—to support your body’s natural balance and give it the building blocks it needs for optimal health.
Your Blood, Your Blueprint
With detailed bloodwork, you can personalize your diet, supplements, and lifestyle to match your body’s actual needs. Imagine being able to pinpoint precisely which nutrients you need to boost your energy, support your immune system, and feel your best. The best part of regular bloodwork is that it lets you run a personal science experiment on yourself. Everyone has bio individuality, meaning we each react differently to specific foods, supplements, and routines. Instead of guessing or relying on advice that might not suit your body’s unique makeup, frequent bloodwork allows you to gather concrete evidence of what truly works for you. By comparing past results, you can identify which changes contribute to real progress and pinpoint any barriers that may be holding you back.
Why Knowing is Better Than Guessing
Here’s what thorough bloodwork can do for you:
- Spot Nutrient Deficiencies: Low levels of nutrients like B12, iron, and vitamin D can lead to fatigue, low immunity, and poor mood. Blood tests provide clear answers.
- Identify and Balance Hormones: Hormone imbalances can trigger fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, and more. Knowing your levels empowers you to make targeted adjustments.
- Preventive Health: A detailed blood panel can detect early warning signs, helping you address issues before they become problems.
- Optimize Health and Performance: With specific, actionable data, you can take control of your body’s needs to enhance energy, resilience, and longevity.
Take Control with Comprehensive Testing
Don’t guess when it comes to your health—KNOW. Make thorough bloodwork a part of your health journey, and let it be a guide to living your best, most optimized life.
Sources
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11920-cholesterol-numbers-what-do-they-mean
https://prevmedhealth.com/more-important-than-ldl-the-triglyceride-hdl-ratio/