The Lab Report

In functional medicine, we often discuss behavioral change. But this can be difficult since many of us don’t like to be pushed out of our comfort zone. Dr. Alex Hutchinson is a physicist, endurance athlete, and author who writes about the perception of limits. How much of our physical limitations are real? Is it possible our minds are the actual limiting factor? In today’s episode, Alex discusses his work on the human body’s capacity to endure. We talk about pain’s role in setting limits, and the psychology of pushing beyond what we think is possible. Today on The Lab Report: 2:50 Meet Dr. Alex Hutchinson - from physics to journalism 7:45 Why is it so hard to be pushed out of our comfort zone? 10:00 Physical vs. mental limitations and the role of pain 15:30 Practical tips to understand and set limits 22:30 Nature vs. nurture 25:20 Malcolm Gladwell 28:00 The Fireball Additional Resources: ENDURE Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights? Big Ideas: 100 Modern Inventions That Have Transformed Our World Sweat Science Jockology   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amino acids are the building blocks of life. They can be categorized as being essential or nonessential. Essential amino acids must come from the diet, while nonessential amino acids can be made in the body. Of the essential amino acids, there is a subgroup called the ‘branched chain amino acids (BCAAs).’ There are three BCAAs: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These three amino acids have different molecular structures and important metabolic activity. In this episode, we discuss the clinical importance of BCAA and how to interpret BCAA levels in context with organic acids. Today on The Lab Report: 2:50 Let’s Define Some Terms! 5:10 The unique metabolism of BCAAs 6:30 BCAAs effects on the brain, muscle, and insulin resistance 12:30 What do we think we know? BCAAs and immunity 16:10 Measuring and interpreting amino acid patterns 17:55 Relating BCAA levels to urinary organic acids 21:00 Logical Speculation: Urinary alpha-keto acids and ketosis Additional Resources: NutrEval Metabolomix + Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us know insulin as the hormone that regulates our blood sugar. We often think of its role in diabetes. However, insulin affects far more than glucose. Dr. Ben Bikman is a PhD researcher who has been studying insulin for many years. His latest book, Why We Get Sick, outlines how insulin resistance is at the root of chronic disease and ways to treat and prevent it. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Bikman about the mechanisms of insulin resistance, its far-reaching effects in chronic disease, and strategies to improve it. Today on The Lab Report: 2:20 Meet Dr. Bikman and learn why he focuses his research on insulin 8:35 Insulin and insulin resistance   13:55 Where in the body does insulin resistance start? 18:25 Hypertrophic vs. hyperplastic fat cells and the effects of free fatty acids 26:35 Signals that create hypertrophic vs. hyperplastic fat cells 28:45 Muscle-centric model of insulin resistance 32:15 Chronic diseases as they relate to insulin resistance 35:50 Aromatase activity in adipose tissue 37:25 The brain and Alzheimer’s disease as ‘type 3 diabetes’? 41:50 Fasting, ketosis, and lifestyle strategies to combat insulin resistance 47:35 COVID-19, immunity, and metabolic defenses 50:40 The Fireball Additional Resources: Why We Get Sick Ceremides as modulators of cellular and whole-body metabolism Adipose Tissue as an Endocrine Organ Ketones Elicit Distinct Alterations in Adipose Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.          See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the corporate world, the concept of mindfulness is not a priority. Multi-tasking, competition, and success are major drivers day-to-day. Pandit Dasa, a former monk, is an author and international speaker who teaches the concepts of appreciation and mindfulness to corporations to cultivate stronger relationships and teamwork. With more of us working remotely, this can be challenging. His simple advice is changing the culture of not only the workplace but the quality of interpersonal relationships at home. In today’s episode, Pandit Dasa discusses his life in the monastery, strategies to foster appreciation amongst co-workers, and ways to be mindful in a tech-filled world.   Today on The Lab Report: 3:55 Pandit Dasa discusses his life in an NYC monastery 13:05 Cultivating teamwork in the workplace 16:05 Keeping connected while working remotely 18:25 Closing the Apps in our brain 20:55 The myth of multi-tasking 24:30 Dealing with social media and tech distraction 26:55 Mindfulness techniques and gratitude   Additional Resources: Pandit's website Closing the Apps Urban Monk   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our bodies contain an inner clock that helps to regulate hormones and biochemistry. This clock is referred to as the circadian rhythm. The fine timing of this biological rhythm requires signaling from light. With the change in seasons, many of us feel the systemic effects of less daylight in various ways, one of which is altered mood. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that correlates with seasonal patterns. In today’s episode, we discuss the biochemistry of how light regulates the circadian rhythm, the etiologies of seasonal affective disorder, and various treatment strategies which have been used to improve symptoms.   Today on The Lab Report: 2:15 The circadian rhythm and chronobiology – defining terms 5:00 Light signals and hormonal regulation of the biological clock 7:25 Health implications of seasonal change 9:30 Seasonal Affective Disorder 13:45 Vitamin D – What does it do? 18:10 Therapeutics and interventions 21:00 Question of the Day: Can seasonal affective disorder happen in the summer?   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanksgiving is a time to be mindful and reflect on our many blessings. During the holiday, many of us enjoy dinner with family and friends without stopping to consider the nutritional aspects of traditional dishes. Today, we discuss the important biochemical and nutritional benefits of Thanksgiving dinner items. We also talk about dealing with the stress of the holidays and the many reasons we are grateful.   Today on The Lab Report: 3:30 Turkey and tryptophan – is it a thing? 5:15 Cranberry sauce apologetics 7:45 Potatoes! - and the microbiome 10:35 Green bean casserole, (fake) mushrooms, and onions 13:15 Hollandaise sauce? Gravy? Stuffing? Ummm…moving on 14:10 Pumpkin is a fruit 15:20 Moderation and modifying your dinner 16:15 Movement and mindfulness 19:20 Gratitude and community – Patti & Michael give thanks   Additional Resources: Michael's Famous Green Bean Casserole?   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Behavioral change is at the root of functional medicine as it relates to diet and lifestyle. Often patients struggle between office visits and need ongoing guidance and encouragement. Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum recognized the need to bridge this gap. After many years as a clinical psychologist, she pivoted her career to found the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy in association with the Institute for Functional Medicine. On today’s episode, we learn about health coaches and why they are an integral missing piece when it comes to ensuring success on the path to optimal wellness. Today on The Lab Report: 2:30 Meet Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum and hear about her career path 9:00 What does a health coach do and why are they important?   16:20 Health coaching during the pandemic 18:55 Positive psychology and training coaches 22:45 Focusing on personal character strengths 24:40 The Functional Medicine Coaching Academy 25:05 Basic skills to deal with panic attacks 28:50 The Fireball   Additional Resources: The Functional Medicine Coaching Academy Functional Medicine Coaching: How to Be Part of the Movement That's Transforming Healthcare Functional Medicine Coaching: Stories from the Movement That's Transforming Healthcare Stop Panic Attacks in 10 Easy Steps How to Give Clients the Skills to Stop Panic Attacks: Don't Forget to Breathe Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vitamins are carbon-containing (organic) molecules that are essential for normal metabolism. However, they cannot be made in our body in sufficient amounts which makes dietary intake of vitamins important. There are thirteen different vitamins, categorized depending on whether they dissolve in water (water-soluble) or can be absorbed with dietary fat and stored in the body (fat-soluble). In today’s episode, we focus on Vitamin B-12, the largest and most complex water-soluble vitamin. Hear about why we need it, how we get it, and what happens when you’re deficient.   Today on The Lab Report: 2:15 Vitamins and their naming conventions 4:35 What does vitamin B-12 do and how do we get it? 7:40 Signs and symptoms of deficiency and why it happens 11:00 Measuring levels of vitamin B-12 12:35 Better Know a Biomarker: Methylmalonic Acid 15:50 Daily dietary requirements and supplementation 21:50 Question of the Day: Should we be concerned about high levels of vitamin B-12? Additional Resources: NutrEval Metabolomix + Metabolic Analysis Profile Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Nicole Avena is a neuroscientist, researcher, author, and speaker who has spent years studying nutrition and the brain chemistry of the reward system. She is a pioneer in the field of food addiction. In functional medicine, we often talk about the importance of behavior and lifestyle changes to optimize health. But, how much of this is within our control? On today’s episode, Dr. Avena discusses the adverse effects of sugar on eating behaviors and the brain’s role in decision-making.    Today on The Lab Report: 3:00 Meet Dr. Nicole Avena and learn why she focuses on nutrition and food addiction 7:00 How sugar influences the brain chemistry of the reward system 10:20 Processed foods and added sugar 13:35 Reading nutrition labels and USDA recommendations 16:30 Long term effects of sugar on children 18:30 Advice for parents about introducing sugar in the diet 21:55 The Fireball   Additional Resources: Dr. Nicole Avena's website TED talk - How Sugar Affects the Brain Why Diets Fail What to Feed Your Baby and Toddler What to Eat When You're Pregnant Hedonic Eating: How the Pleasure of Food Affects Our Brains and Behavior   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Joseph Pizzorno is a legend in the naturopathic and integrative medicine community. His decades of research, mentorship, and outreach have been instrumental in validating ‘science-based natural medicine’. As founding president of Bastyr University, and author of numerous textbooks and consumer books, his influence has shaped our current view of functional medicine. Today, we reflect back on Dr. Pizzorno’s amazing career and discuss his latest research into toxic exposures, and his most recent publication on naturopathic approaches to COVID-19. Today on The Lab Report: 3:20 Meet Dr. Joseph Pizzorno and learn about the evolution of integrative medicine 7:30 Optimism on the future of functional medicine 8:55 Pizzorno reflects on his influence and legacy 12:00 Textbook of Natural Medicine 13:45 Toxic exposures and environmental medicine 24:00 Naturopathic and functional medicine therapies for COVID-19 31:20 What’s next? 32:25 The Fireball   Additional Resources: Textbook of Natural Medicine 5th Edition Clinical Environmental Medicine The Toxin Solution Evidence Supporting a Phased Immuno-physiologic Approach to COVID-19 From Prevention Through Recovery   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Malterre is a well-known nutrition expert and a certified functional medicine practitioner. Not only did Tom write a pivotal book on the elimination diet, but he also lectures frequently on environmental toxins, coaches groups of clinicians in functional medicine, and educates patients in his own clinical practice. In today’s episode, Tom Malterre touches on several topics including the elimination diet, the metabolic effects of environmental toxins, and using food to assist detoxification and optimize health.   Today on The Lab Report: 2:40 Meet Tom Malterre and hear about his path to functional medicine 7:20 Clinical pearls for using the elimination diet 12:35 Environmental toxic exposures and metabolic effects 17:55 Toxic foods 21:44 Promoting detoxification 24:10 Talking to patients about minimizing toxic exposures 27:45 The Fireball   Additional Resources: Tom's Website The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook The Elimination Diet Nourishing Meals Cookbook Broccoli-the DNA whisperer TEDx   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s society, many of us focus on losing fat to achieve and maintain adequate health. But the paradigm is slowly shifting toward the importance of gaining muscle. The metabolic and systemic effects of skeletal muscle are astounding. Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is a functional medicine physician who has pioneered a specialty in “Muscle-centric Medicine”. Years of research and study on the topic have shaped her unique approach to functional medicine and patient care. In this episode you’ll meet Dr. Gabrielle Lyon and learn about the metabolic influences of building muscle, how it contributes to longevity, and the importance of dietary protein.   Today on The Lab Report: 3:00 Meet Dr. Gabrielle Lyon and hear how her mentor has shaped her career 5:35 Metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects of muscle 9:45 Sarcopenia, insulin resistance, and obesity 11:10 Muscle mass and longevity 14:40 How much dietary protein do we need? 17:00 Animal vs. plant protein and supporting vegan/vegetarian patients 22:20 Red meat, flawed cancer studies, and mTOR 28:00 Lyon’s work with elite military operators 30:45 The Fireball   Additional Resources: Gabrielle Lyon's website Task Force Dagger Lyon's YouTube Channel   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Paul Anderson has spent decades educating, writing, researching, and treating patients with many chronic illnesses. His expertise in alternative and complementary cancer therapies has garnered him a notable and distinguished reputation. As a professor at Bastyr University for many years, Dr. Anderson has helped shape the careers of many naturopathic physicians. Today we discuss his approach to patients receiving a cancer diagnosis. He addresses nutrition, toxic exposures, and the mental-emotional aspects of cancer treatment to empower patients and their loved ones towards improved outcomes. Today on The Lab Report: 2:50 Meet Dr. Paul Anderson and learn about his accomplished career 5:45 Epigenetics and the role of nutrition and toxic exposures 16:15 The controversy of antioxidants in cancer therapy 23:55 Diets and fasting to improve outcomes 32:25 Three pillars of cancer treatment 34:00 Personal empowerment in the face of diagnosis 37:25 Reframing a patient’s mental-emotional mindset 43:10 The Fireball Additional Resources: Dr. Anderson's website Cancer: The Journey from Diagnosis to Empowerment Outside the Box Cancer Therapies: Alternative Therapies That Treat and Prevent Cancer Success Breakthroughs   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In functional medicine, behavior change is often at the heart of helping our patients improve their health. When it comes to dietary choices, many people struggle due to food cravings which they believe are out of their control. Dr. Elena Zinkov is a naturopathic physician who wrote a book which hits this topic straight on and offers helpful tips to reset cravings.   Today, we meet Dr. Zinkov and learn about her functional medicine approach to helping patients deal with food cravings.   Today on The Lab Report: 3:00 Meet Dr. Elena Zinkov and hear about her path to naturopathic medicine 5:30 Cravings are far more than willpower 7:55 Hormone imbalances, nutritional insufficiencies, and the microbiome 16:15 Neurotransmitters and cravings 20:00 Actionable steps to reset dietary behavior 26:15 The role of functional medicine laboratory testing 28:10 Improving sports performance in athletes 30:30 Zinkov’s thoughts on the optimal diet and fasting 34:50 The Fireball   Additional Resources: Proactive Health Crave Reset   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Mike T. Nelson is an exercise physiologist, researcher, speaker, author, personal trainer, and coach. In the world of sports optimization, his approach is somewhat unique. Rather than merely focusing on training and personalized nutrition, his programs include some interesting alternative techniques to improve health and performance. Dr. Nelson’s years of research and coaching experience, paired with an open mind to new ideas, have garnered his clients amazing results. Today we discuss metabolic flexibility, alternative training therapies, and his approach to wellness.     Today on The Lab Report: 2:10 Meet Dr. Mike T. Nelson and hear about his path to exercise physiology 7:05 Reflexive Performance Reset 10:05 Alternative approaches to training therapies 17:55 Using HRV in athletes 23:00 Continuous glucose monitoring 26:55 Flex Diet 31:40 Mind-body practices 35:25 Optimal protein intake 38:00 Fasting in athletes 43:20 Mole 46:05 The Fireball   Additional Resources: MikeTNelson.com Who's Mr. Mole? Free Keto E-book! Flex Diet Podcast   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The thyroid gland plays a major role in regulating our metabolism. It releases hormones that influence nearly every system in the body, in addition to other hormones. Because of its far-reaching effects, the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction are widely variable and often over-looked. In today’s episode we discuss how to identify thyroid abnormalities, how to measure it properly, and some functional medicine interventions to improve thyroid function.   Today on The Lab Report: 2:45 What is the thyroid and what does it do? 4:20 Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction 8:08 Thyroid hormone production and its physiologic cascade 12:45 Factors that influence each step of the thyroid hormone cascade 16:15 Autoimmunity and thyroid antibodies 17:45 T₃, T₄, and Reverse T₃ 19:05 Laboratory measurement of thyroid function 24:10 Addressing root causes in treatment 26:00 Question of the Day: What can you do about an elevated reverse T₃? Additional Resources: Genova's Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Neil Paulvin has created a truly integrative and comprehensive functional medicine practice in the heart of New York City. His specialties are varied including osteopathic manipulation, sports medicine, hormone imbalances, and overall biohacking. His innovative use of IV peptides, low dose naltrexone, and other anti-aging therapies has earned him an impressive reputation in the functional medicine space. Dr. Paulvin joins us today to discuss how he combines his many tools to optimize patients’ health. We also dive into the use of low dose naltrexone in clinical practice.   Today on The Lab Report: 2:40 Meet Dr. Paulvin and learn about his path to functional medicine 4:55 The importance of recovery in sports medicine 7:55 Wearable devices in clinical practice 10:30 How and when to use low dose naltrexone (LDN) 18:10 Paulvin’s approach to the optimal diet 22:15 Functional medicine testing 23:25 Advice on transitioning to a functional medicine practice and using telemedicine 27:30 The Fireball   Additional Resources: Dr. Paulvin's Website   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is the well-known phrase “laughter is the best medicine,” but is there any truth to that statement? In today’s show, Patti and Michael explore some of the research around laughter and its physiological, biochemical, and clinical effects. Also, if there is evidence to support laughter as a modality, does this mean we should be prescribing laughter as a treatment? What would this look like in clinical practice? Finally, we speak to some of the team members to demonstrate the power of laughter. Today on The Lab Report: 2:30 Laughter fun facts 3:30 The MCET model 5:10 Clinical impact of laughter 10:00 Prescribing laughter – FITT evaluation 13:00 Round robin with the team 16:00 Culture influences and laughter evolution 18:30 Question of the Day: What’s the funniest thing that’s happened on the show?  Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professional athletes are seen as the pinnacle of health and performance. But the work that goes into ensuring their well-being can be daunting. Navin Hettierachchi has been working behind the scenes in professional sports for 20 years. In today’s episode, we hear about his functional medicine approach and the way he uses personalized medicine to help professional athletes achieve peak performance and be their best selves.   Today on The Lab Report: 2:30 Learn about Navin Hettierachchi and his path to sports medicine 7:00 Health, wellness, and functional labs in optimizing performance 10:45 The role of mind-body practices 14:00 Navin’s holistic REDT method 17:00 Personalized diets and fasting 23:45 Using continuous glucose monitoring and wearable devices 26:30 Functional exercise and movement 28:25 com 30:25 The Fireball   Additional Resources: Navinhealth.com   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of what we do in functional medicine revolves around some type of behavioral change. Patients struggle with adopting these positive changes in diet, movement, and mindfulness. Instead of labelling patients as ‘noncompliant’, what if clinicians could meet patients where they are and help them through the process? The Transtheoretical Model was developed to help understand behavior and can be used in practice to promote compliance. In today’s episode, we discuss the stages of behavior change and offer useful tips on how to approach coaching and educating patients.   Today on The Lab Report: 2:00 The Transtheoretical Model 5:10 Precontemplation and recognition 9:40 Contemplation and acceptance 12:10 Preparation and planning 14:30 Action and health coaching 16:45 Maintenance and new behavior 17:30 Question of the Day: What are the critiques of the Transtheoretical Model?   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashleigh VanHouten is a key influencer in the health and fitness industry. As the self-proclaimed ‘Muscle Maven’, she coaches elite athletes and many nonathletic clients on ways to optimize their health. Ashleigh is not only a fitness expert, but also a well sought-after speaker, podcast host, and author of a new cookbook entitled It Takes Guts. Her book focuses on the importance of the often neglected, but nutritionally dense organ meats. Today we discuss her approach to a primally-aligned life, her thoughts on motivation and movement, and nose-to-tail eating.   Today on The Lab Report: 2:45 Meet Ashleigh VanHouten and hear about her passion for fitness and strength 8:35 The primally-aligned lifestyle 13:55 Balancing stress and maintaining motivation 17:45 Developing an exercise and movement habit 21:15 Ashleigh’s approach to diet and protein intake 26:15 Using fasting as a tool 30:10 Overtraining and the importance of recovery 35:45 It Takes Guts and eating offal 39:50 The Fireball   Additional Resources: It Takes Guts AshleighVanHouten.com Muscle Maven Radio   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blastocystis is one of the most common GI parasites encountered in clinical practice. There’s been some debate as to whether it’s friend or foe. There’s even more debate on how to treat it and whether it even needs to be treated. Newer technology shows that there are many different subtypes of Blastocystis. These subtypes may hold the key to understanding the nuances in clinical presentation and the difficulty in eradicating it. Today we introduce Blastocystis and discuss how the subtypes may influence presentation and treatment.   Today on The Lab Report: 3:00 Blastocystis: Friend or Foe? 5:15 What kind of parasite is it, how do you get it, and what are the symptoms? 7:30 Subtypes and why we care 10:55 Treatment 13:30 Urticaria and Blastocystis? 15:00 What do we think we know? Natural therapies for Blastocystis 18:10 Question of the Day: Why doesn’t Genova offer antimicrobial sensitivities to parasites? 20:45 The Methane Dysbiosis Score   Additional Resources: Genova's Stool Testing Support Guide Parasitic Organisms Chart Webinar - Parasitology Stool Diagnostics: From Basics to Blastocystis   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.        See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the last episode, we met Dr. Casey Means – a head & neck surgeon who became a functional medicine practitioner and key opinion leader in plant-based diets. She also happens to be the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Levels. Levels produces digital health products, such as continuous glucose monitors, to inspire healthy behavior change. Today, in Part 2 of our interview, Dr. Means explains how the continuous glucose monitor works and how valuable this information can be to overall metabolic health and wellness.   Today on The Lab Report: 2:35 Digital health care products and behavior change 7:50 Levels, continuous glucose monitors, and metabolic flexibility 12:00 How daily activities, diet, and fasting can affect continuous glucose monitor results 23:30 Combining CGM with functional nutritional testing 29:45 Stool testing and metabolic health 32:55 Casey’s Kitchen 37:45 The Fireball   Additional Resources: Dr. Means' Website Levels Dr. Caseys Kitchen   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we meet Dr. Casey Means - a head & neck surgeon who made a big leap from traditional to functional medicine. She specializes in metabolic health with a focus on the whole-food, plant-based approach to diet. Dr. Means is also co-founder and Chief Medical Officer for a company called Levels . Levels produces digital health products, such as continuous glucose monitors, to inspire healthy behavior change. In this episode, you’ll hear part 1 of an extensive interview discussing a variety of topics. Listen as we delve into Dr. Means’ path to functional medicine and her thoughts on plant-based diets.    Today on The Lab Report: 3:10 Introducing Dr. Casey Means and her path to functional medicine 11:10 Nutrigenomics and the plant-based diet 15:00 Curcumin and sulforaphane 16:25 What about meat? 19:00 Biochemistry and metabolizing fatty acids 21:20 What about other diets (keto, carnivore, etc.)?   Additional Resources: Dr. Means' Website Levels NutrEval   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that there is a connection between the brain and the GI tract? This gut-brain axis communicates information in both directions. The commensal bacteria in our gut and their metabolites can directly affect our memory and mood, while our brain can alter bacterial patterns and GI function. Today we discuss some of the mechanisms by which this axis sends and receives those signals. We also talk about the importance of addressing both when optimizing health.   Today on The Lab Report: 2:30 New Game Alert!  Vegetablization of names 4:05 Question of the Day/Fireball: Since the gut-brain axis is bidirectional, where do you start when it comes to treatment? 6:45 What is the gut-brain axis? 8:10 Communication mechanisms from the GI tract to the brain 13:20 How the brain affects the gut 16:50 Where do you start when it comes to treatment? 18:20 Psychobiotics 20:10 Testing   Additional Resources: GI Effects Comprehensive Stool Profile Adrenocortex Stress Profile    Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In functional medicine, we often focus on the GI tract to uncover and treat the root causes of many chronic diseases. But many clinicians just don’t know where to start. The “5R Protocol” is a helpful tool to guide treatment decision-making. The “5 R’s” are Remove, Replace, Re-inoculate, Repair, and Rebalance. What exactly does this mean? How do you translate this to clinical practice?  In this episode, we discuss the meaning of each “R”. We also explain how to apply these to a patient’s clinical presentation and stool test results.   Today on The Lab Report: 2:15 Introducing the “5R Protocol” 4:30 Remove - remove what? How? 13:30 Replace – supporting underlying GI function 21:40 Re-inoculate – pre- and probiotics 25:00 Repair – intestinal permeability and inflammation 27:45 Rebalance – lifestyle modification and the GI tract 30:10 Did we just add a sixth R?  Yep! 30:50 Question of the Day: How long do you wait to retest?   Additional Resources: GI Effects Comprehensive Stool Profile    Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drew Manning is a health and fitness expert who became a world-wide sensation with his Fit2Fat2Fit experiment years ago. He gained and lost 75 pounds on purpose to understand the psychology behind weight loss. This transformed the way the fitness industry approached helping clients. He recently announced he’s doing it again this year as he turns 40 (Fit2Fat2Forty) to bring awareness to the mental-emotional part of body transformation. In this episode, Drew discusses his latest journey and his new approach. Hear about the incredible amount of education he’s hoping to bring to this experiment and how you can follow along and learn. Additionally, because Drew is a leading voice in the ketogenic diet industry, we engage him in a rapid-fire “Keto FAQ” segment. “Empathy is one of those things that can be so transformative and a huge catalyst for change.” – Drew Manning Today on The Lab Report: 3:25 Meet Drew Manning and hear about why he’s undertaking “Fit2Fat2Forty” 7:15 What he learned from his first journey and how it changed his current approach 11:25 The psychology of gaining and losing weight 16:00 Mind-body practices for emotional eating 17:45 Gaining the weight - challenging popular diets 22:10 Rapid-fire Keto FAQ’s with Drew 29:00 The Fireball   Additional Resources: fit2fat2fit fit2fat2forty Drew's Podcast fit2fat2fit Facebook @fit2fat2fit Instagram Complete Keto Guide   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Proteins are large molecules made up of smaller building blocks called amino acids. As a macronutrient, protein can be obtained in our diet from both plants and animals. Protein is metabolically critical and structurally necessary to keep us healthy. When protein is broken down into amino acids, each of them have their own function and importance as well. Are you getting enough protein in your diet? What happens in the body if you’re deficient? How do you get more? In today’s episode, we discuss all things protein. We also single out a few specific amino acids and touch on what makes them important.   Today on The Lab Report: 2:45 Introducing protein and amino acids 4:35 What’s the difference between a peptide and a protein? 6:00 How much protein do we need every day and where do we get it? 11:35 Protein digestibility and other important dietary factors 13:10 Amino acids – essential and nonessential 16:00 ‘Off the Cuff’ with the Medical Affairs Team: What’s your favorite amino acid? 31:35 How do we test amino acid levels? 33:00 Question of the Day: What are some patterns of amino acids and what do they mean?   Additional Resources: Amino Acid Analysis Metabolomix + NutrEval   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multi-omics is the layering of genetic information (genomics) with laboratory biomarker results (metabolomics) to understand the root cause of disease and risk. This educational series focuses on genetic variants in specific enzymes and explains how to evaluate the systemic effects. Today’s episode revolves around the enzyme cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS). This enzyme is important for homocysteine metabolism, sitting at a branch point between two important cycles: methylation and transsulfuration. The action of this enzyme is important for balancing the critical functions of methylation with the creation of glutathione and energy. Listen to understand why this enzyme is important and what a genetic variant in CBS might mean for your patients. “You’ve got to zoom out. You’ve got to look at all of the factors which regulate the CBS enzyme.” – Michael Chapman, ND   Today on The Lab Report: 2:20 Reminder of what we mean by multi-omics 4:50 Introducing the CBS enzyme and the sink drain metaphor 7:40 The genetics of CBS – the silent mutation – and its potential effects 12:40 Better Know A Biomarker:  Cystathionine! 16:20 Activators and inhibitors of CBS and its effects on other biomarkers 18:55 Question of the Day:  Does a CBS SNP cause elevated ammonia levels? 21:40 Evaluating surrounding biomarkers and how do you treat this SNP?   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us in functional medicine understand the importance of nutrition in addressing chronic disease. Dr. Kasia Kines holds a doctorate degree in Clinical Nutrition and has helped thousands of patients get to the root cause of their illnesses. Dr. Kines also happens to be a key opinion leader on the Epstein-Barr virus and how reactivation of chronic EBV infection can impact health. In this episode, Dr. Kasia Kines discusses the interplay of nutrition, toxic exposures, and chronic EBV. Today on The Lab Report: 3:45 Meet Dr. Kasia Kines and hear about her path to functional nutrition 8:40 Using nutrition to navigate a toxic world 11:00 Diet therapeutics and choices 17:50 Why did Dr. Kines choose to specialize in EBV? 26:20 Chronic EBV as a hidden trigger, reactivation, and susceptibility 32:55 Therapies for management of EBV 36:30 Stress and sleep in reactivation illness 39:40 The Fireball  Additional Resources: EBVHelp Kasia's website The Epstein-Barr Virus Solution Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the last episode, we met Dr. Bryan Walsh, a naturopathic physician and well-renowned teacher with a unique way of approaching medicine. He challenged us to remain humbly skeptic and excitedly curious. He spends his time scouring the literature and redefining his approaches to learning, teaching, and practicing clinical medicine. Today he discusses the latest science on some tried and true traditional biomarkers and the art of applying them clinically. “There is a science to blood chemistry, but there’s also an art.” – Dr. Bryan Walsh   Today on The Lab Report: 4:00 Revisiting traditional blood chemistries and the importance of the reference range 7:20 Using albumin as an example to tell a clinical story 19:05 Why Dr. Walsh developed his online teaching: “Metabolic Fitness Pro” 22:40 Knowing basic biochemistry and physiology is key 25:30 Stop looking for the next big thing, take a fresh look at the basics   Additional Resources: Metabolic Fitness Pro drwalsh.com Dr. Walsh's YouTube Channel   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.              See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The history of medicine is riddled with shifting paradigms, disproven theories, and treatment protocols that may not be beneficial. Dr. Bryan Walsh is a naturopathic physician with a humble and deep curiosity which frames his unique approach to practicing medicine. By continually questioning the norm, he reminds us to dig deeper and follow the literature on topics that the medical community currently accepts as true. Today’s episode is part one of our in-depth interview with Dr. Walsh where he discusses new ways of looking at detoxification and glucose regulation. “We’ve been wrong before, what makes us think we’re right now. Let’s question things.” – Dr. Bryan Walsh   Today on The Lab Report: 2:40 Meet Dr. Bryan Walsh and hear about his overarching philosophies to medicine 8:45 Rethinking the concept of detoxification 13:35 Milk thistle and Curcumin: Friend or foe 16:05 Whole herb vs. Supercritical extracts 18:50 Missing conversations in glucose regulation 27:30 The importance of glycemic variability and ways to measure it   Additional Resources: Metabolic Fitness Pro drwalsh.com Dr. Walsh's YouTube Channel   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On our last episode, we introduced Dr. Brad Lichtenstein. Dr. Brad is a naturopathic physician who has spent his career teaching and practicing mind-body medicine, mindfulness, and meditation. This topic is crucial to optimal health, yet many patients find it intimidating and don’t know where to start. Today in part two of our interview, Dr. Brad dives into what mindfulness is, and how to cultivate mindful practices. Additionally, if you stick around to end of the show credits, Dr. Brad also leads us in a mindful meditation. “Mindfulness means attention to the present moment without judgement or without elaboration. A lot of our suffering is because we are living in the judgement of something and missing the moment.” – Dr. Brad Lichtenstein   Today on The Lab Report: 3:05 What is mindfulness? 9:05 How can we incorporate mindfulness into our daily lives? 16:25 Attitudes regarding behavior change 22:30 Dealing with Zoom, social media, and devices 29:33 The Fireball: Dogs vs. Cats – which animal is more mindful? 34:30 Brad guides us in a ‘Mindfulness Meditation’   Additional Resources: The Breath Space Dr. Brad's TEDx Talk: Breathing Into Life   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are often reminded to adopt mindful practices in an attempt to mitigate the stress response and promote optimal health. But the concept can seem lofty and, at times, intimidating. Where do you start? How do you become more mindful? Finally, we hit this topic straight on. Dr. Brad Lichtenstein has dedicated his career to the practice of mind-body medicine, mediation, and mindfulness. This episode is part one of a two-part interview with Dr. Brad. Today, he discusses the physiology of the stress response (“Fight, Flight, or Freeze”), types of biofeedback, and novel ways to engage and regulate the autonomic nervous system.   “The goal of measuring biofeedback is to create enough awareness in yourself that you no longer need the devices.”- Dr. Brad Lichtenstein   Today on The Lab Report: 4:15 Meet Dr. Brad Lichtenstein and learn about why he focuses on the nervous system 7:10 The Polyvagal theory and actively engaging the vagus nerve during stress 17:35 The importance of ‘safety’ 22:55 Biofeedback: what is it, what are the different types, why do we care? 28:00 Emotional and physical responses as biofeedback regulation  33:00 Introduction to the concept of mindfulness – teaser!   Additional Resources: The Breath Space Dr. Brad's TEDx Talk: Breathing Into Life   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this podcast, we’ve discussed the benefits and shortcomings of many different diets. Today we finally delve into the concept of ‘fasting.’ Cynthia Thurlow, NP is a well-known expert in intermittent fasting, and became a viral sensation after her TEDx Talk on this subject. She is also passionate about optimizing women’s hormonal health. Today we discuss the benefits of intermittent fasting, the different types of fasting, and Cynthia’s tips for women in their perimenopausal and menopausal years. “Autophagy is the spring cleaning of the cells - getting rid of the ‘yuck’ your body doesn’t need.” -Cynthia Thurlow, NP.   Today on The Lab Report: 3:25 Meet Cynthia Thurlow and learn about her journey to functional medicine 11:25 Autophagy and the benefits of intermittent fasting 13:20 Types of fasting 15:10 Chronobiology, circadian rhythm, and fasting flexibility 19:25 What breaks a fast? 23:55 Contraindications to fasting 26:20 Prolonged fasting/water fasting 28:25 Addressing women’s hormonal health in perimenopause/menopause 32:40 Cynthia’s website, podcast, and online learning opportunities 34:00 The Fireball: What’s your favorite sandwich?   Cynthia's Website Primal Eating Cynthia's TEDx Talk on Intermittent Fasting Cynthia's TEDx Talk on Surviving to Thriving The Unhealthy Truth - Robyn O'Brien   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A parasite is an organism that lives in a host and takes its nourishment from that host. In the GI tract, their presence can manifest in many ways. The main classes of parasites include protozoa, roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes. Whenever Patti & Michael have questions about microbiology, they turn to Jim Kelton who has been part of the microbiology department at Genova for nearly 20 years. In this episode, we get Jim’s take on parasitosis and clarify the methodologies for detecting parasites. “We developed fire back in the Stone Ages for a reason, and one of them was to cook fish.” – Jim Kelton   Today on The Lab Report: 3:40 Scienceness, Technicology, and Machine-a-mechanics: Jim Kelton is back! 4:40 Prevalence of parasitosis and the question of underdiagnosis 7:05 Are there commensal parasites? 11:40 Using different kinds of PCR to assess parasites 15:25 “But I saw a worm in my stool, and your lab missed it!” 17:05 Differentiating different ova/eggs 18:50 Microscopy and quantification scales 20:50 Sushi: Friend or foe 23:00 Parting thoughts and fun facts about parasites   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Symptoms of hormonal imbalance can be highly variable - fatigue, weight gain, hot flashes, insomnia, and so much more. With that, it’s likely that hormonal imbalance is contributing to the root cause of many patient complaints. Often clinicians are confused about where to start when it comes to hormone testing. Which hormone do I look for? Which sample type is best? How does it all work together? Today we discuss the delicate interplay of our hormones. We also highlight the testing differences between sample types (blood, urine, and saliva) and when you might choose one over the other.   Today on The Lab Report: · 2:35 In which patients would you measure hormone levels? · 4:30 The ‘pyramid analogy’ and interconnectedness of hormones · 7:15 Cortisol and the stress response · 8:40 Where does the thyroid fit in? · 9:35 Sex hormones · 12:05 Saliva vs. Blood vs. Urine – ‘Metaphorically Speaking with Dr. Stephen Goldman’ · 20:10 Question of the Day: Why all the controversy about testing a patient on topical hormone therapy?   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Managing weight is more than calories in/calories out. There are many hidden factors that may be inhibiting weight loss such as hormonal influences, stress, toxic exposures, and maladaptive behaviors. One of the basic principles of functional medicine is that all patients are different and therefore, a personalized approach is needed. In this episode, we redefine some ideas around weight loss and discuss the many factors that need to be considered in order to develop a successful weight loss strategy. “The body system is innately designed to cure itself. To allow this to happen you need to remove the obstacles to cure.” – Dr. Michael Chapman   Today on The Lab Report: · 2:50 Redefining terms · 4:40 Calories in/calories out · 7:25 Quality and quantity of food · 12:35 Timing, fasting, and chronobiology · 16:50 Hormones, the stress response, and the importance of sleep · 21:50 What about the thyroid? · 23:45 Environmental toxins and obesogens · 25:00 Movement and exercise · 25:45 A naturopathic approach to weight loss, obstacles to cure, and behavior change   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Methylation is a very important enzymatic reaction responsible for so many crucial metabolic processes. In our last episode, we introduced the topic of methylation and the basics of the biochemical reaction.  However, there are many subtle nuances to consider when assessing whether a patient’s methylation cycle is out of balance. Today, we dive a bit deeper into the biochemistry and peel back the layers to show how some of the specific biomarkers and backup pathways contribute to imbalance. And, what does that mean clinically? It may help to review our prior episode or use Genova’s Methylation Pathway Handout to follow along. “Should we do case studies on the podcast? Email your opinion to [email protected]!” – Patti and Michael   Today on The Lab Report: 2:50 Quick review of the methylation cycle 4:45 The important relationship between choline and betaine 7:05 Logical Speculation: Why is the betaine: choline ratio associated with disease risk? 9:35 Dimethylglycine (DMG) 11:15 Sarcosine and the ‘SAM disposal chute’ 14:20 Glycine: What does it do? 16:55 Transsulfuration and glutathione 21:00 The multi-omics of the methylation panel 22:25 Question of the Day:  What is the stability of measuring SAM and SAH?   Additional Resources: Genova's Methylation Panel Dr. Michael Chapman's Methylation Webinar   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.          See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The word ‘methylation’ has become somewhat of a buzz word in functional medicine. We’ve mentioned it several times throughout many episodes of The Lab Report – hard to avoid since it’s involved in just about every biological process. In this episode, we finally hit the topic head on and dive into the methylation cycle itself. Although the biochemistry can be intimidating, listen as we simplify and demystify the steps involved and why each is important. You may find it helpful to refer to a Methylation Pathway Chart. “It’s not the reaction that is significant, but how often the reaction is used in the body.” – Michael Chapman, ND Today on The Lab Report: 2:00 What is methylation and why is it clinically important 5:30 Jumping into the biochemistry – metaphors to the rescue! 11:35 Homocysteine 14:00 The main pathway versus back up pathway 19:33 Transsulfuration 22:30 Multi-omics and the methylation cycle 27:50 Question of the Day “What does it mean if homocysteine is low?” Additional Resources: Genova's Methylation Panel Dr. Michael Chapman's Methylation Webinar   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.        See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The basics of mobility often go unnoticed until nagging pain and discomfort arise. Musculoskeletal pain is a very common complaint of many patients. Rather than treating that pain with medication, what if a simple mobility technique could fix the mechanics that caused it? Dr. Kelly Starrett has revolutionized the way we assess and treat common aches and pains by developing a program called The Ready State. His years of working with elite, professional athletes gives him a unique perspective on how to deal with common everyday musculoskeletal issues. In this episode, Dr. Starrett lays out a simple plan that clinicians can use every day to assess and treat their patients with pain. He also discusses some strategies for those with desk-based jobs trying to survive the modern workplace and outlines the basics of good posture. “Pain is the body’s request for change.” – Dr. Kelly Starrett Today on The Lab Report: 2:50 Meet Dr. Kelly Starrett and get introduced to the idea of mobility 8:30 Kelly’s experience with functional medicine 11:00 Adequate vs. Optimal 15:20 What is a supple leopard? 18:50 Prescribing mobility – the movement map 26:25 Deskbound and strategies for the workplace 32:40 Posture and the skill of standing 37:20 The Ready State Additional Resources: The Ready State Becoming a Supple Leopard Deskbound: Standing Up to a Sitting World Ready to Run: Unlocking Your Potential to Run Naturally Waterman 2.0 Muscles and Meridians Stand Up Kids Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Movement and exercise are important when considering a lifestyle approach to chronic disease and health optimization. When we think of exercise as medicine, most people don’t realize the amount of research available to support the physiologic changes and benefits.  Dr. Andy Galpin is a professor and researcher in muscle physiology and bioenergetics at California State University, Fullerton. By studying muscular and cellular physiology in both elite athletes and nonathletic patients, he sees what healthy and optimal looks like and works to translate this into actionable steps for all patients.   Using his fun, unique approach to teaching, Dr. Galpin outlines the data on long-term health measures and markers of longevity. He also discusses his book Unplugged, which addresses the benefits and shortcomings of wearable devices. “We should not be using wearable technologies to outsource physiology, but to insource it – to learn more about yourself.” - Dr. Andy GalpinToday on The Lab Report: 2:50 Meet Dr. Andy Galpin and learn about the field of bioenergetics 6:30 Why did he create his 5, 25, 55 Minute Phys YouTube Videos 8:45 How his research not only applies to sports performance but also nonathletes 15:35 Predictors of longevity and actionable preventative strategies 22:20 Aerobic vs. anaerobic activity and movement diversity 24:15 Slow-twitch, fast-twitch, and hybrid muscle fibers 25:35 Unplugged – wearable devices pro and con 29:10 HRV training and using technology appropriately 32:00 Reconnecting with nature 36:00 The Fireball Additional Resources: andygalpin.com Unplugged: Evolve from Technology to Upgrade Your Fitness Performance & Consciousness XPT - Going Back to Basics in Your Training 5 Min Phys - Pros/Cons Fitness Technology        25 Min Phys - Carbs vs Fats 5 Min Phys - Fast vs Slow-Twitch Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many clinicians new to functional medicine feel overwhelmed by starting, or even changing their practices to accommodate their new skill set. Not only are there many functional medicine concepts to master, but there is also a wide array of functional labs to interpret. It can take time to understand how to use these labs and how to communicate these new concepts to patients. Dr. Dan Kalish has been mentoring clinicians for decades and has created ‘The Kalish Method’ to help. Through years of his own learning and being mentored by icons in the field, he has learned how to guide clinicians through the ever-expanding landscape of functional medicine. In this episode, Dr. Kalish discusses his own journey and offers important practical tips to help clinicians as they navigate theirs.   “Our emphasis is on practice implementation, business skills, clinical lab interpretation, and patient education.” – Dr. Dan Kalish   Today on The Lab Report: 2:55 Meet Dr. Dan Kalish and learn how he became interested in functional medicine 5:45 Where he starts with testing, interpretation, and translation to patients 7:45 How Dr. Kalish gained his knowledge to interpret testing 11:20 The Four Horsemen of Disease Development 16:10 Practice Implementation – practical tips to get started 22:30 Navigating the diet landscape 25:10 The Kalish Institute, mentorships, and online master classes 30:20 The Fireball   Additional Resources: Kalish Institute The Kalish Method: Healing the Body, Mapping the Mind Your Guide to Healthy Hormones The 5 Pillars of Building a Successful Practice   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell which function to make ATP and energy. Their role in chronic disease is widely studied and often overlooked. Symptoms and root causes of mitochondrial dysfunction can be difficult to pinpoint in your patients. When it comes to relating this to brain fatigue or thyroid dysfunction, Dr. Datis Kharrazian is an expert. He has written several books and lectured extensively on these topics. In this episode, Dr. Kharrazian outlines his approach to chronic disease using the lost art of the physical exam, laboratory assessments, and a review of current literature. Learn how he uses subtle clues to uncover root causes and what he does to improve patient outcomes.  “One of your best windows to assess mitochondrial compromise is to look at the brain.” – Dr. Datis Kharrazian Today on The Lab Report: 2:40 Meet Dr. Datis Kharrazian 10:10 Mitochondrial dysfunction and how it affects the brain 13:00 Symptoms, causes, and treatment of brain fatigue 19:00 The functional neurological exam 21:00 Stimulating neurologic mitochondrial biogenesis 22:50 Working up brain fatigue with functional labs and physical exam 28:05 Functional medicine approach to autoimmune thyroid disease 31:32 Intestinal permeability, gluten, and lectins in autoimmunity 39:00 Using stool testing and food antibody testing to assess immune tolerance 43:40 Kharrazian explains his extensive new patient work up 48:35 The Kharrazian Institute 53:25 The Fireball Additional Resources: Kharrazian Resource Center Kharrazian Institute Why Isn't My Brain Working? Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Lab Tests Are Normal? Immunological Reactivity Using Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies of Autoimmune Thyroid Target Sites with Dietary Proteins Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multi-omics is the layering of genetic information (genomics) with laboratory biomarker results (metabolomics) to understand the root cause of disease and risk. This educational series focuses on genetic variants in specific enzymes and explains how to evaluate the systemic effects. Today’s episode is a discussion of the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP1B1. This enzyme is important in hormone detoxification. Genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs) in CYP1B1 might predispose a patient for risk regarding many hormonally mediated diseases, though this is not always the case. Listen to find out more about the enzyme pathways used in estrogen detoxification, what to look for when deciding if a genetic variant in CYP1B1 is expressed, and learn what you can do to about it. “Some SNPs result in an enzyme that works faster (upregulation). Some SNPs result in an enzyme that works slower (downregulation).” – Michael Chapman, ND Today on The Lab Report: 2:30 Cytochrome P450 enzymes and CYP1B1 2:55 Review of general Phase I and Phase II detoxification 7:00 Basics of estrogen detoxification pathways and where CYP1B1 works 9:00 What does a SNP in CYB1B1 do? 11:45 What profiles and biomarkers are helpful to assess expression of a CYPB1B1 SNP? 17:00 How do we support patients with a CYP1B1 SNP? 21:05 Question of the day: “What is the difference between FMV and 24hour Complete Hormones?” Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the last episode, we introduced Dr. Tom Guilliams, who is an author and researcher in the field of all things functional medicine. In fact, he’s written several books through the Point Institute which have changed the way many clinicians think about basic functional medicine topics.  His unique association with large supplement companies in conjunction with his vast knowledge of biochemistry and physiology makes him the perfect person to answer all of our burning questions around the use of supplementation in functional medicine. This episode is a continuation of our prior interview where we gained insight into best practices when it comes to supplements. In this second half of our discussion, we focus on the GI tract, the use of probiotics, as well as his take on anti-nutrients. “Probiotics have a specific definition – roughly, they are live microorganisms that, when taken at a certain dose, have a clinically measurable effect.” – Dr. Tom Guilliams  Today on The Lab Report: 2:15 ICYMI, who is Tom Guilliams? 3:30 Do we need to refrigerate probiotics? 6:30 Do probiotics actually colonize the GI tract? 9:00 Probiotic stability concerns 9:45 Spore-based probiotics 14:00 Probiotics are transient, and that is a good thing 15:30 Future of probiotic strains 16:30 Probiotic and prebiotic use in SIBO 21:20 Anti-nutrients and the loaded lectin question 25:00 The Fireball 30:00 Question of the Day: Do spore-based probiotics influence the GI Effects Stool Profile?   Additional Resources:  Point Institute Supplementing Dietary Nutrients, 2nd ed. The Role of Stress and the HPA Axis in Chronic Disease Management Cardiometabolic Risk Management Functional Strategies for the Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders Supporting Immune Function The Original Prescription   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Tom Guilliams has been reading and studying the literature for years regarding all things functional medicine. In fact, he’s written several books through the Point Institute which have changed the way many clinicians think about basic functional medicine topics. His extensive breadth of knowledge on the latest literature and his close association with major supplement companies has given him a unique perspective on how supplements are used within our field. Today’s episode contains the first half of an extensive interview addressing the most frequently asked questions regarding the use and misuse of dietary supplements. Dr. Guilliams draws on his impressive knowledge of biochemistry and physiology to explain why and where we might be spending our supplement dollars unwisely. He also lays out an interesting paradigm shift in how we look at hormone metabolism.   “Delivering any supplement or nutrient in any way other than swallowing it makes it a drug.” – Dr. Tom Guilliams   Today on The Lab Report: 2:15 Introducing Tom Guilliams, PhD 5:05 Tom’s favorite book to write 7:45 ‘Cortisol/Pregnenalone Steal’ is a misnomer 10:30 Should we all be taking a multivitamin? 12:30 ‘Food-based’ vitamins vs. ‘synthetic’ vitamins 16:15 What form of folate should we use to supplement? 18:00 Unmetabolized Folic Acid (UMFA) 20:15 Are ‘activated’ B-vitamins superior? 24:20 Liposomal glutathione and glutathione levels 28:00 NAD supplementation 31:30 Sublingual and topical application of nutrients   Additional Resources:   Point Institute Supplementing Dietary Nutrients, 2nd ed. The Role of Stress and the HPA Axis in Chronic Disease Management Cardiometabolic Risk Management Functional Strategies for the Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders Supporting Immune Function The Original Prescription   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and show not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A multi-omic assessment combines your genetic blueprint (genomics) with laboratory biomarker information (metabolomics) to provide a deeper understanding of the root cause of disease or disease risk. By starting with a specific enzyme and discussing what it does in the body, we can start to map its systemic effects and gather important data. When there are genetic variants in that enzyme many systems can be affected. Today’s episode discusses the enzyme 5,10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase or “MTHFR”. In functional medicine, MTHFR is a common topic that is often debated and misunderstood. We explain what MTHFR does in the body and why it is important. Genetic variants in this enzyme can predispose a person to many clinical conditions but these are not always expressed. Hear why that is, and what you need to assess to get the full picture. “Genes do not make your destiny, and SNPs do not always manifest themselves as a biological or functional problem.” – Michael Chapman Today on The Lab Report Podcast: 2:30 What is a multi-omics assessment? 4:00 The basics of methylation and why it’s important 7:00 What is MTHFR and how does it relate to folate and methylation 8:55 Possible effects of genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to MTHFR 11:30 Which profiles and biomarkers can give multi-omic information about MTHFR SNPs? 16:45 How do we support patients with MTHFR SNPs, and should we give methylated vitamins 22:05 Question of the day: “How common is it to have an MTHFR SNP?” Subscribe, Rate & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. ~~ Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests. For medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment, please consult a medical professional.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not all tests are created equal. There are tests used for standard and routine medical procedures, and ones that are only prescribed for specific circumstances. A multi-omics test is one of them. This test deals with different data sets comprising the genome, the microbiome, and the epigenome. It’s meant to target the very reasons why a person is sick or has problems with specific foods from which functional treatment can be made.   In today’s episode, we discuss the science behind the multi-omics test, the different types of data it analyzes, and what makes it an effective way in finding treatment. We describe the effects of a person’s ethnicity with their genes and how it affects test results. We explain what a COMT is, what it does to our hormones, and how it affects our brain. We also share the best ways to treat any abnormalities found in a multi-omics test.   "The more rare a polymorphism is, the more it has clinical associations when it is found.'" - Michael Chapman   This week on The Lab Report Podcast: The difference between genomics and metabolomics. What multi-omics tests are and what they bring to the table. The effects of ethnicity with regards to what test results should look like. The different metabolites that are tested in multi-omics. What COMT is and how it affects our body's hormones. How do you treat abnormalities brought about by metabolites?   Subscribe, Rate & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts, Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe to the show and give us a rating and review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most pressing questions on functional medicine. And be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.   Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests. For medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment, please consult a medical professional.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Ross Arena is a professor and Department Head of Physical Therapy at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has over 850 peer-reviewed publications, abstracts, and book chapters. He is a Fellow at the American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology. He specializes in cardiopulmonary physical therapy and exercise science. Ross also helps companies promote a culture of health and is a strong advocate of movement, stating the health benefits of a tiny bit of exercise is vastly superior to no exercise at all. Ross joins us to share his wisdom with regards to the health benefits of physical activity and its effects on longevity. He describes where he began his journey into exercise science and why he chose to pursue a career in research. He explains the adverse effects of being sedentary for long periods, such as what everybody experienced during the pandemic. Ross also discusses some of the important factors that determine long-term health and what the research shows about the right dose of exercise. "We should start to think about how we work together in a different way to create a culture of health." - Dr. Ross Arena   This week on The Lab Report Podcast: Ross’s academic milestones and the number of papers he's published. The reason Ross focused on the science of physical performance and health. Ross' thoughts about the pandemic and its effects on physical activity. The long-term health effects of physical inactivity. Ross' nutritional and fitness advice and the importance of knowing the right dosage for each. The importance of letting your patients motivate themselves to get healthier. How companies can create a culture of health among their employees. The most important physical activity factors that can impact longevity. Exercises to reduce the prevalence of heart failure and risks of falls.   Resources Mentioned: PuBMed   Connect with Dr. Ross Arena: University of Illinois in Chicago   Subscribe, Rate & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts, Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe to the show and give us a rating and review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most pressing questions on functional medicine. And be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.   Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests. For medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment, please consult a medical professional.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.