Inflammation is your body’s way of protecting itself from infection, injury, or other insults. Chemical signaling molecules called ‘eicosanoids’ are responsible for creating pain, heat, swelling, and redness. Eicosanoids are made from fatty acids, or dietary fats. We’ve all heard of fish oil and omega-3s being important when it comes to lowering inflammation. But why?

In today’s episode, we break down the inflammatory cascade, explain how fatty acids are involved, and we answer the question ‘What in the world is an eicosanoid!?’

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:20 What are eicosanoids?
• 6:05 Fatty acids and the inflammatory cascade
• 9:10 Lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX)
• 10:00 The COX eicosanoids – prostanoids and thromboxane
• 12:10 Leukotrienes, lipoxins, resolvins, and LOX
• 13:15 Aspirin, fish oil, and heart disease
• 16:30 Question of the Day
  • How should we measure fatty acids?

Additional Resources:

NutrEval

Essential & Metabolic Fatty Acids - Bloodspot

The omega-3 index as a risk factor for coronary heart disease

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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: podcast@gdx.net.

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.

If you are worried about keeping your bones strong, there’s more to the story than taking calcium supplements. Vitamin D and vitamin K work together to support strong, healthy bones. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium from food, which is essential for building and maintaining bone density. But without enough vitamin K—particularly vitamin K2—that calcium might not end up where it's needed. Vitamin K2 activates proteins that help direct calcium into bones and teeth while keeping it out of soft tissues like arteries. In other words, vitamin D gets the calcium in, and vitamin K makes sure it goes to the right place.

In today’s episode, we discuss the important relationship between vitamin D and vitamin K. These 2 fat-soluble vitamins collaborate to support bone density – there’s more to bone health than calcium!

Today on The Lab Report:

• 4:15 Fat-soluble vitamins
• 6:00 Vitamin D recap
• 9:35 Bone remodeling
• 12:05 All about Vitamin K
• 15:50 Calcium isn’t the whole story
• 18:25 D3/K2 and cardiovascular health
• 20:15 Other factors that contribute to bone health
• 22:40 Question of the Day
  • Do problems with fat digestion cause vitamin deficiency?

Additional Resources:

Genova Connect

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: podcast@gdx.net.

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.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

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.

Zombie cells, scientifically known as senescent cells, are damaged or aged cells that refuse to die when they should. Instead, they linger in the body, releasing harmful chemicals that can trigger inflammation and accelerate aging. These cells have been linked to a range of age-related diseases, including arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer.

Dive into the eerie world of 'Zombie Cells' on our latest episode! Uncover how these undead cells wreak havoc in our bodies and what cutting-edge research reveals about their role in aging and disease.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 4:15 Cell turnover, apoptosis, and autophagy vs. zombie cells
• 7:30 What triggers zombie cells to form and what are telomeres?
• 10:15 Age-related diseases and inflammation
• 12:15 Senolytics and strategies to clear zombie cells
• 17:30 Just practice naturopathic medicine
• 18:30 Rules to survive a zombie apocalypse

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: podcast@gdx.net.

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.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

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.

Such a random topic – gray hair? The technical term for hair graying is canities – again, what a strange word. Who knew? The basic physiology of hair growth and coloration is not something we really think about, but your hair can be a reflection of underlying health or disease. We often talk about the aging process as a marker of oxidative stress -So too with your hair.

In this episode, we dive into the science of graying hair. From melanin loss to genetics to some surprising lifestyle connections, we separate fact from fiction and uncover the truth about your hair.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:40 Canities, melanin and hair color
• 7:25 Melanin in hair vs. skin, hair growth stages
• 12:15 Aging and premature graying, oxidative stress
• 16:25 Nutrition, hormonal influences, inflammation, stress
• 18:20 Re-pigmentation??? Or at least delay graying
• 23:10 Question of the Day
  • How can Genova’s testing help?

Additional Resources:

Genova Connect

NutrEval

Metabolomix+

Endo+

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: podcast@gdx.net.

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.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

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.

Hiccups- that annoying and at times, painful reflex that sneaks up on you when you least expect it, and sometimes refuses to leave. But what are they really? Is there an evolutionary reason we’ve developed this reflex? When should you be concerned? Can we prevent them?

In this episode, we break down the pathophysiology of hiccups (yes, there’s real science behind it) Knowing the science of why they occur, we can separate fact from fiction on how to cure them. From medical insights to strange home remedies, we’re getting to the root of the world’s most inconvenient reflex.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:45 Hiccups – the diaphragm and phrenic nerve
• 6:30 Pathophysiology of the hiccup and evolution of this reflex
• 9:30 Diet and lifestyle hiccup triggers
• 11:00 The rhythmic reflex arc
• 13:40 When should you be concerned?
• 15:50 Common cures – fact vs. fiction
• 21:25 Traditional Chinese Medicine and Charles Osborne
• 23:09 Take-aways for functional medicine practitioners

Additional Resources:

Genova Connect

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: podcast@gdx.net.

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.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

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.

Akkermansia muciniphila has been getting tons of great press recently. It’s a bacterium in the gut microbiome that thrives by supporting mucin production. However, its potential to enhance metabolic health and support weight management has paved the way for innovative probiotic solutions – which is exactly what a company called Pendulum has done! Pendulum’s products are backed by cutting-edge research showing clinical efficacy.

Today we speak with Christina O’Connor, registered dietician and Senior Healthcare Account Manager at Pendulum Therapeutics. Christina breaks down all the latest research on Akkermansia muciniphila and how optimizing levels can lead to greater health outcomes.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 5:30 Christina O’Connor on her love of microbiome science
• 8:40 Main drivers of gut health
• 10:15 Why should we care about Akkermansia?
• 13:05 Can you have too much?
• 15:20 GLP-1 effects of Akkermansia
• 17:25 Stool testing on probiotics and supporting colonization
• 22:40 What’s next for Pendulum?
• 24:15 The Fireball

Additional Resources:

Pendulum Discount Codes:

Healthcare professionals: Create a provider account HERE for wholesale pricing and get $50 off with code WSGENOVA50.

Not a healthcare professional or just want to try it out? Get 20% off your first membership order at pendulumlife.com with code GENOVA at checkout.

Genova Connect Discount Code:

Are you a consumer interested in checking your levels of Akkermansia? Use the promo code PENDULUM20 for 20% off Genova Diagnostics’ Akkermansia 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: podcast@gdx.net.

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.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

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.

Advanced technologies and personalized approaches have been the hallmark of what we do here at Genova Diagnostics. We are frequently asked how this testing can be applied in pediatrics. Our testing is widely used to help empower parents to get to the root cause of some common childhood concerns. But there are some caveats to consider when interpreting results.

Every child is unique – so why shouldn’t their healthcare be? In this episode, we dive into the world of personalized medicine for children and how Genova’s cutting-edge testing can unlock better health outcomes for kids.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:25 Approaching common pediatric ailments
• 6:00 Root causes of skin issues, rashes, eczema
• 9:15 Food Sensitivity Testing and caveats
• 11:00 Stool testing in pediatrics – interp is different!
• 15:15 Pediatric nutrition testing – benefits and things to know
• 17:40 Childhood obesity and testing for metabolic syndrome
• 20:00 “What is it?” Game

Additional Resources:

GI Effects

Metabolomix+

Food Sensitivity+

Cardio Check

Genova Connect

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: podcast@gdx.net.

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.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

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.