ODX Biomarkers

Glutathione - Inside and Out Dicken Weatherby, N.D. and Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN Glutathione (gamma-l-glutamyl-l-cysteinyl-glycine) is a tripeptide compound formed from three amino acids: glycine, glutamic acid, and cysteine (the rate limiting AA). It maintains a significant role in antioxidant activity, redox balance, metabolic detoxification, and immune system regulation.

Oxidative stress: Counteracted by cholesterol?! Dicken Weatherby, N.D. and Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN Cholesterol acts as an antioxidant Early research identifies cholesterol itself as an antioxidant that protects cells from free radical damage. Oxidative damage can, in turn, deplete cholesterol and disrupt cell membrane function.[i]

Oxidative stress: Functional Blood Chemistry Clues Dicken Weatherby, N.D. and Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN Oxidative stress affects many different cells and tissues, contributing to a wide variety of diseases. The presence of underlying oxidative stress may be revealed in commonly available blood chemistry panels in which biomarker fluctuations may provide clues to the presence of this underlying “smoldering ember.”

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.