Ultimate Nutrition Blood Test

Total Cholesterol

LDL cholesterol

Low density lipoprotein, often known as LDL cholesterol, is a lipid and protein molecule that carries triglycerides, cholesterol, and other fats to various bodily regions.

When fatty deposits build up inside artery walls due to an excess of LDL cholesterol, sometimes known as "bad cholesterol," this could result in atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Through food and exercise, your cholesterol levels can be dramatically reduced. Likewise, if you can raise your levels, you may be able to avoid developing significant, potentially fatal illnesses in the future.Results for HDL and LDL (and non-HDL) can be used as benchmarks and improvement targets. Regular exercise, especially cardio and weight training, will help lower LDL and raise HDL.

Cholesterol levels will also be optimised by a Mediterranean diet that is heavy in vegetables and oily fish and low in meat and dairy.

Non-HDL cholesterol

All of the cholesterol molecules that are not HDL (or "good" cholesterol") are referred to as non-HDL cholesterol. Therefore, it includes all of the potentially dangerous and non-protective cholesterol in your blood.

As a result, it is thought to be a more accurate indicator of cardiovascular risk than LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol. Less than 4 mmol/L of non-HDL cholesterol is advised. Through food and exercise, your cholesterol levels can be dramatically reduced. Likewise, if you can raise your levels, you may be able to avoid developing significant, potentially fatal illnesses in the future.

Results for HDL and LDL (and non-HDL) can be used as benchmarks and improvement targets.Regular exercise, especially cardio and weight training, will help lower LDL and raise HDL. Cholesterol levels will also be optimised by a Mediterranean diet that is heavy in vegetables and oily fish and low in meat and dairy.

HDL Cholesterol

High Density Lipoprotein, often known as HDL cholesterol, is a molecule that transfers cholesterol from the bloodstream to the liver, where it is broken down and expelled from the body as bile.

The term "good cholesterol" refers to HDL cholesterol. Through food and exercise, your cholesterol levels can be dramatically reduced. Likewise, if you can raise your levels, you may be able to avoid developing significant, potentially fatal illnesses in the future.

Results for HDL and LDL (and non-HDL) can be used as benchmarks and improvement targets. Regular exercise, especially cardio and weight training, will help lower LDL and raise HDL.

Cholesterol levels will also be optimised by a Mediterranean diet that is heavy in vegetables and oily fish and low in meat and dairy.

Total Cholesterol/HDL

By dividing your total cholesterol value by your HDL cholesterol level, you can get your cholesterol/HDL ratio. It serves as a gauge of cardiovascular risk since it provides useful information about the percentage of "good" cholesterol in your total cholesterol (i.e. high-density lipoprotein, HDL).

The cholesterol/HDL ratio is used by heart disease risk calculators (like QRisk) to estimate your risk of suffering a heart attack.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a type of lipid that move through the bloodstream. They are transported in the bloodstream by chylomicrons and VLDLs, two types of lipoproteins (very low density lipoproteins).

Following a meal, extra calories are converted by your body into triglycerides, which are subsequently carried to cells where they are stored as fat. Triglycerides are then released by your body when it needs energy.

Vitamins (3 Biomarkers)

Your body requires vitamins as necessary nutrients to function properly. They must come from the food you consume because you cannot manufacture them yourself. There are two categories of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble.

Oily foods, whether animal- or plant-based, contain fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E, and K.

You don't need to eat them every day because your body stores them in fatty tissue and the liver. You must consume meals containing these nutrients more regularly because the majority of water-based vitamins, such as vitamin C, are not stored in the body.

A balanced diet should provide you with all the vitamins you require. But occasionally, dietary decisions or medical issues might make us vitamin deficient.

Vitamin B12

The generation of red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body, depends on vitamin B12.

Additionally essential for metabolism and the nervous system, vitamin B12 deficiency can harm nerves over time.

Although plant milks are increasingly frequently enriched with vitamin B12, vitamin B12 is still nearly exclusively found in meals derived from animals.

Folate Serum

A coenzyme in the metabolism of amino acids is folate, a B vitamin. Additionally, it is necessary for the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines, which are necessary for the production of red blood cells and DNA.

Make sure your folate levels are normal if you're thinking about getting pregnant because folate is also crucial during the first trimester of pregnancy.

This vitamin helps athletes perform better by controlling energy metabolism by modifying the production and breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and other bioactive molecules. It also works in conjunction with other B vitamins, such as vitamin B12.

Methylmalonic Acid Serum

Methylmalonic acid must be converted into coenzyme A by the action of vitamin B12. Methylmalonic acid will build up in the body rather than being converted to coenzyme A in vitamin B12 deficiency.

When B12 levels are near the lower end of the normal range, both active vitamin B12 and serum B12 levels can be normal in people who have the symptoms and biochemical signs of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Methylmalonic acid blood levels can be measured to determine if a B12 shortage is underlying.

Trace Elements (1 Biomarker)

Copper

The body uses copper, an essential mineral, to make enzymes. This aids in the control of energy generation, nervous system function, and iron metabolism.

The results of a copper test are typically interpreted in relation to and contrasted with ceruloplasmin levels.

Inflammation (1 Biomarker)

When your immune system is triggered to purge your body of external invaders or irritants and to guard against tissue damage, inflammation results. Inflammation frequently manifests as heat, redness, swelling, and discomfort.

An acute or persistent inflammation might exist. Infection or injury are common causes of acute inflammation, which appears for a few days before going away. Long-term diseases including arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or asthma can lead to chronic inflammation.

Certain proteins that are elevated in the blood as a result of inflammation can be tested to determine the level of inflammation and, in some cases, its underlying cause.

CRP HS

The C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation that is used to determine whether there is inflammation in the body but not where it is situated.

A test known as High Sensitivity CRP (CRP-hs) is used to find low-level inflammation that may harm blood vessels and cause a heart attack or stroke. There is a great deal of inflammation at the site of a significant injury. The swelling around a twisted ankle is easy to picture.

Your CRP-hs will increase with any damage of this nature. But frequent exercisers also run the danger of developing chronic low-level inflammation, which can harm their performance.We draw this picture using CRP-hs, CK, and your complete blood count (see the articles on the liver and complete blood count).

When you are rested for the test, inflammatory markers like CRP-hs provide the most insight; otherwise, they may be increased from recent exercise.

Iron Status (4 Biomarkers)

Ferritin

Clotting Status (2 Biomarkers)

Your bone marrow produces your clotting cells (platelets), which are crucial for regulating bleeding. Thrombocytopenia is a condition that occurs when too few or too quickly damaged platelets are created.

Immune problems, certain medications, liver illness, or continuous bleeding are all potential causes of this.

Thrombocytosis, often known as a high platelet count, can result from a number of illnesses, including problems with the bone marrow, infection, and inflammation.

MPV

Mean Platelet Volume, or MPV, is a measurement of your platelets' typical size. Blood cells that have been broken up into pieces are called platelets, and they help clots form. The creation of platelets in your bone marrow is indicated by MPV.

Platelet Count

Platelets, also known as clotting cells, are the tiniest blood cells and are crucial for blood clotting.

When there is bleeding, the platelets enlarge, group together, and form a sticky plug (a clot) that aids in stopping the bleeding.

Red Blood Cells (7 Biomarkers)

The most prevalent form of blood cell, the red blood cell, is responsible for transporting oxygen to your tissues through your circulatory system.

Your bone marrow continuously produces red blood cells to replace those that are lost as a result of bleeding or cell ageing. Your red cell count should remain consistent, but some health issues can result in abnormally few or excessively numerous red cells, abnormally fast cell death, or abnormally shaped red cells.

The amount of oxygen given to your tissues is affected if you are not creating enough red blood cells, which causes anaemia and its accompanying symptoms of weariness and pale skin. Headaches, blurred vision, and an enlarged spleen can all be symptoms of excessive red blood cell production.

Haematocrit

The haematocrit (HCT) scale measures how much space (volume) red blood cells occupy inside the blood.

Haemoglobin

Red blood cells contain a protein called haemoglobin, which is responsible for the red colour of the blood and for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

This test gauges the blood's capacity to deliver oxygen throughout the body by counting the amount of haemoglobin present. Since they need to make sure that their muscles are getting enough oxygen, athletes and sports persons typically have higher oxygen demands than the normal person.

In endurance and strength athletes, it is common to find haemoglobin levels at the higher end of the normal range.

MCH

The average quantity of haemoglobin found in one of your red blood cells is measured by MCH (mean corpuscular haemoglobin).

MCHC

The average amount of haemoglobin in your red blood cells is called the MCHC (mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration).

Red blood cells use the chemical haemoglobin to carry oxygen throughout the body.

MCV

Your red blood cells' average size can be determined by your MCV (mean corpuscular volume).

This is crucial to evaluate because it can show how much oxygen your cells are probably transferring throughout the body.

RDW

The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) reveals whether the sizes and shapes of your red blood cells are uniform across the board or vary.

Your red blood cells may grow in atypical sizes due to several blood disorders because, in general, cells are pretty uniform in size and shape.

The size difference between the largest and the smallest red blood cell is determined by this test.

Red Cell Count

Analyzing the number of red blood cells in the blood is known as red blood cell (RBC) counting.

Oxygen is transported by red blood cells from the lungs to the rest of the body, where it can be used as a source of energy for activities like breathing and moving about. Additionally, they transport the carbon dioxide that cells make back to the lungs for exhalation.

White Blood Cells (6 Biomarkers)

The foundation of your body's immunological or defence system is made up of white blood cells. They combat illnesses and shield your body from external substances like dangerous bacteria and germs.

White blood cells are created from bone marrow stem cells and have a short lifespan of a few days. The body is protected by five main types of white blood cells, each of which has a unique function.

Your immune system and recent infections can both be diagnosed using the numbers of each of these categories of white blood cells.

White Cell Count

The White Blood Cell (WBC) Count calculates how many white blood cells are present in the blood.

White blood cells are essential to the immune system of your body. They combat illnesses and defend your body from invaders like dangerous bacteria and germs.

To shield you from repeated infections with the same germ, they also develop a large number of antibodies and memory cells.

Basophils 

White blood cells called basophils guard your body against bacteria and parasites like ticks. They additionally contribute to allergic responses.

Eosinophils

White blood cells called eosinophils are in charge of eliminating parasite infections and controlling inflammation to identify an infected spot.

They also have an impact on asthma and allergies.

Lymphocytes 

White blood cells called lymphocytes defend the body against viral and bacterial illnesses.

They are a subgroup of white blood cells that play a role in the body's more focused response to infections, which is able to recognise and classify various foreign organisms that enter the body.

They create antibodies and memory cells to aid in preventing further infections from the same germ in addition to combating infection. T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells are examples of lymphocytes.

Monocytes

White blood cells called monocytes engulf and eliminate pathogens as well as dead or damaged cells from our blood.

These cells' activity contribute to the heat and swell of inflammation.

Neutrophils 

White blood cells known as neutrophils are in charge of assisting your body in the fight against illness.

If your neutrophil count is low, you may be more susceptible to disease and infection.

Minerals (2 Biomarker)

While both are essential, minerals are needed in greater quantities than trace elements. Minerals must be obtained from the food you eat because your body is unable to produce them.

Numerous internal processes, such as the development of sturdy bones and teeth, maintenance of the body's fluid balance, normal nerve and muscle function, hormone production, and control of blood pressure, are all attributed to minerals. The majority of the minerals we require should be obtained from our diets.

However, you can discover that you are mineral deficient if you exclude specific food groups, follow a highly rigid diet, or have an issue with gut absorption.

Selenium-Serum

 A trace mineral called selenium supports the body's proper metabolism. By enhancing antioxidant capacities, which aid the body in defending itself against free radical damage and inflammation, it also boosts the immune system.

Brazil nuts, tuna, and eggs are all natural sources of selenium.

Zinc-Serum

Zinc is vital for cell division and growth, immune system health, wound healing, taste, and smell.

Additionally, zinc cleanses the brain of harmful metals including copper, lead, and mercury.