odx-biomarkers

In my previous article on assessing prostate function I talked about the crucial role that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) plays in men’s health. However, PSA levels alone aren’t enough to diagnose prostate cancer, which is why I want to talk about other primary biomarkers for prostate cancer that we need to consider.

Compared to testosterone, it can be easy to forget about the crucial role that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) plays in men’s health. However, this biomarker’s levels in the blood serve as one of functional medicine practitioners’ most important tools for ensuring the health of their male patients.

It’s tempting to consider blood chemistry analysis as a diagnostic practice that falls squarely in the domain of allopathic medicine. Anyone who has ordered or had a blood test knows that the results are typically a battery of individual markers, measurements and statistical ranges that offer very little insight into the functional health of the testee. Blood tests — as many Functional Medicine practitioners believe — are only useful for diagnosing patients already presenting with severe illness.

Thyroid hormones are the spark plugs of metabolism. Dicken Weatherby, N.D. and Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN Thyroid hormones take a front and center role in regulating metabolism, directly affecting energy expenditure, weight maintenance, lipid metabolism, gluconeogenesis, and growth and development.[1]

Adipowhat? Dr. Dicken Weatherby and Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN Adiponectin is a protein-based hormone secreted primarily by adipocytes though it is produced in endothelial cells, skeletal muscle, and cardiac muscle as well. It is found to have beneficial anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, insulin-sensitizing effects.[1]

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.

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]