The ODX Blog

Selenium: You only need a little, but you need it a lot Dicken Weatherby, N.D. and Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN Selenium is an essential trace mineral that is vital to many systems in the body including the CNS, cardiovascular, immune, and endocrine systems. It plays an important role in antioxidant activity, thyroid hormone metabolism, inflammation regulation, reproductive health, and biotransformation and detoxification.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

To B12 or not to B12… Dr. Dicken Weatherby & Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN Vitamin B12 is an essential micronutrient required for DNA synthesis, amino acid metabolism, nerve cell integrity, neurotransmitter synthesis, folate metabolism, and homocysteine processing. Its deficiency or insufficiency can have wide-reaching neurological and hematological consequences. These can include damage to the myelin sheath; tingling of hands and feet; difficulty with walking; disorientation; mood changes; dementia; memory loss; gastrointestinal symptoms; and megaloblastic and pernicious anemia.[1] [2] [3] Individuals with early stages of B12 deficiency may be asymptomatic.

Is there a link between the disproportionate incidence and severity of COVID-19 in African Americans and vitamin D insufficiency? Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN By the 20th of April 2020, over 2.5 million worldwide cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had been attributed to the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Co-V-2). Characteristics of the disease were recognized in December of 2019 and a global pandemic was declared in March 2020.[1] As of June 14, 2020 7.98 million cases and 434,980 deaths have been reported worldwide.[2]

The Apo B to Apo A1 Ratio Dr. Dicken Weatherby & Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN There is so much more to cholesterol than meets the eye!

The LDL:HDL Ratio Dr. Dicken Weatherby & Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN Calculation of the LDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio provides a better assessment of cardiovascular risk than measuring either biomarker alone.

The Omega 3 Index (n-3 index) Dr. Dicken Weatherby & Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN Omega-3s are important to maintaining the health of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune, endocrine, and nervous systems. Omega-3 DHA is especially important in vision. In general, omega-3s EPA and DHA help control inflammation, blood pressure, heart rate, and blood clotting, and they support immune and neurological function. [i] [ii] [iii] [iv] [v]

Enzymes are here and there but they shouldn’t be everywhere! Part 2: AST:ALT Ratio By Dicken Weatherby, N.D. and Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN In part 1 of this 2-part article we discussed ALT:AST ratio. In this article we will be talking about the reciprocal ratio, the AST:ALT Ratio also known as the DeRitis Ratio.

Enzymes are here and there but they shouldn’t be everywhere! Part 1: ALT:AST Ratio By Dicken Weatherby, N.D. and Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are enzymes that participate in gluconeogenesis by transferring amino groups to alpha-ketoglutaric acid

Ceruloplasmin Keeps Your Copper Safe By Dicken Weatherby, N.D. and Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN Ceruloplasmin is a copper-containing protein produced primarily by the liver, though some is produced in lymphocytes and macrophages.[1]

Optimal - The Podcast: Episode 5 Dr. Dicken Weatherby & Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN Welcome to episode 5 of "Optimal - The Podcast" recorded June 3rd, 2020. Here's a breakdown of what we covered and timing: