The Lab Report

Latest Episodes:

Vitamins and the Microbiome Sep 20, 2022

Show notes

In the evolving landscape of microbiome research, we are beginning to see that our gut microbiome has more control over our health than we ever knew. Genova’s Microbiomix profile uses the newest technology of whole genome sequencing which adds another layer of understanding. We now see that the microbiome is one of our most important health indicators. We know that commensal bacteria produce many metabolites with far-reaching effects. But many of us forget that these bacteria also produce vitamins.

In today’s episode, we discuss vitamin production in the GI tract, its contribution to systemic levels, and the interesting interplay between microbial communities.

Today on The Lab Report:

4:30 Commensal bacteria make vitamins!
9:15 Colonic absorption, SIBO, and nutrient competition
11:35 Michael Writes Report Commentary
13:55 Microbial Vitamin K
16:05 How much do microbial vitamins contribute to DRI?
18:10 Which bacteria make what?
19:10 Microbiomix- Leading the Evolution of Microbiome Assessments
20:05 Question of the Day:
- Which ‘vitamer’ forms are made in the gut?

Additional Resources:

GI Effects with Microbiomix

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

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Thyroid Nutrients [Rebroadcast] Sep 13, 2022

Show notes

The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating metabolism and is sometimes referred to as the ‘thermostat’ of our bodies. Even minor abnormalities in thyroid function can have far-reaching effects for every organ system. Thyroid diseases are prevalent worldwide and thyroid hormone replacement therapy is common. But many don’t realize that there are basic dietary nutrients that can have a huge impact and help optimize thyroid function.

In today’s episode, we recap thyroid physiology and discuss how nutrition underpins thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism.

Today on The Lab Report:

4:00 Recap of basic thyroid gland physiology
7:45 Iodine and types of salt
10:45 Selenium, selenoproteins, and orbital rings
13:15 Everyone’s favorite cofactor - zinc
14:45 Iron and heme-dependent enzymes
16:10 Protein and amino acids
17:30 Question of the Day:
- Why does the NutrEval measure these nutrients in different matrices?

Additional Resources:

Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment

NutrEval

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

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Mast Cell Activation Syndrome & Histamine Aug 30, 2022

Show notes

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) has become a hot topic in functional medicine. Mast cells are an integral part of the body’s immune system. They can be found in areas of exposure such as mucosal membranes, the lining of the GI tract, skin, and airways. Mast cells are responsible for storing important chemical mediators like histamine and others which help to instigate allergic responses. Mast cell disorders arise when there are too many mast cells, or they become hyper-reactive. That being said, these conditions are often misunderstood, and diagnoses are sometimes misused.

In today’s episode, we focus on the role of mast cells and histamine in the immune response. We discuss the different mast cell activation disorders, how to diagnose them, and what you can do about it.

Today on The Lab Report:

3:05 Mast Cell Activation Diseases
5:15 What is a mast cell? Why do we care?
7:05 Symptoms of histamine release
8:40 Histamine intolerance vs. MCAS
11:11 Foods: High Histamine or Low Histamine?
14:25 Non-food related histamine associations
15:30 Diagnosing and treating MCAS
18:00 Question of the Day
- - What Genova profiles can help parse out histamine intolerance v. MCAS?

Additional Resources:

IgE Food Antibodies Profile

IgE Inhalants - Allergy Profile

IgE Mold - Allergy Profile

Methylation Panel

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

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Dr. Dom D'Agostino and the Biochemistry of Ketosis [Rebroadcast] Aug 23, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Dominic D’Agostino is a well-known leading researcher who studies nutritional strategies and metabolic-based therapies in neurological disorders, seizures, cancer, and metabolic wellness. He also happens to be a preeminent voice and proponent of the ketogenic diet. Ketosis is your body’s ability to burn fat for fuel when carbohydrates are not readily available – producing ketones. No longer thought of as a fad diet, it is actually a metabolic state that many adopt as a lifestyle given the emerging health benefits it confers. The metabolic effects of ketosis are vast and new insights are evolving rapidly.

In today’s episode, we dive deep into biochemistry and metabolism with Dr. D’Agostino. He explains the latest research advancements in ketosis, differences between endogenous and exogenous ketones, and how continuous glucose monitoring factors into ketosis and metabolic health measures.

Today on The Lab Report:

4:00 Welcome back, Dr. D’Agostino – why he chooses to study ketosis?
6:50 Surprising new clinical applications of ketogenic diets
12:40 Alzheimer’s disease, type 3 Diabetes, and ketones
17:00 Exogenous ketone esters/salts vs. endogenous ketones and metabolic effects
26:30 Is there a role for the ketogenic diet in ADD/ADHD?
29:15 Continuous glucose monitoring and ketosis
34:35 Glucose/ketone variation and the calculated index
43:00 Metabolic Health Summit
46:40 The Fireball

Additional Resources:

KetoNutrition

Metabolic Health Summit

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Healthy Gut, Happy Life with Taylor Dukes Aug 09, 2022

Show notes

Taylor Dukes is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with a very unique voice in functional medicine. Her practice is comprised of so many different kinds of patients. She specializes in family medicine, fertility, peri- and postnatal care, but also treats many high-performance athletes and celebrities. One of Taylor’s many passions is the role of the microbiome in systemic health – which applies to all patient populations. Her approach to optimizing gut health is comprehensive and her results speak for themselves.

Today, Taylor is back on The Lab Report to chat about the role of the microbiome in health and disease, and she gives us her practical tips on optimizing it.

Today on The Lab Report:

3:45 Taylor Dukes is back – and busier than ever!
8:30 The microbiome, sleep, and the gut-brain connection
11:15 Gut-skin axis – acne and eczema
13:15 Hormonal balance and the estrobolome
17:25 High performance athletes and the microbiome
20:22 Taylor’s approach to optimizing the gut
22:20 Peri- and postnatal nutrients
24:00 The Fireball

Additional Resources:

Taylor Dukes Wellness

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supporting Immune Function with Dr. Tom Guilliams Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

If there’s one thing we’ve all come to appreciate during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the importance of a healthy immune system. The immune system is a complex network of various cells, proteins, and organs that work together to help your body recognize and mitigate potential invaders, as well as recognize and protect itself. Metabolic health, proper nutrition, a healthy microbiome, and intact gut barrier are all important components necessary to support immune function.

Dr. Tom Guilliams is a PhD researcher with a specialty in molecular immunology. He recently updated his seminal work “Supporting Immune Function.” Tom joins us on today’s show to discuss innate and adaptive immunity and outline the functional medicine approach to optimize immunity.

Today on The Lab Report:

3:45 Tom Guilliams is back!
5:25 Conversations about immune health during the pandemic
9:15 Metabolic reserve
13:20 Literature during the COVID-19 pandemic
16:40 Immunosenescence
21:20 Functional approach to immune health
26:25 Nutrition and immunity
33:00 The role of the gut in immune health, innate vs. adaptive immunity, and vaccines
45:40 Emerging research on the effect of COVID on the microbiome
52:15 The Fireball

Additional Resources:

Point Institute

Supporting Immune Function

Lifestyle Matrix Resource Center

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If you’re a patient looking for a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly, visit Genova Connect.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tick-Borne Illnesses Jul 19, 2022

Show notes

Summer brings tons of outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and backyard barbeques. It also brings bugs and insects. Likely you’ve encountered your fair share of bug bites, but one bite you don’t want to ignore is a tick bite! Because ticks are visually easy to miss, tick bites can go unnoticed too. Ticks can transmit organisms into your systemic circulation resulting in acute and chronic symptoms. Not all tick bites cause illness, but when they do it can be serious.

In this episode, we touch on some common tick-borne illnesses, what symptoms to look for, and how to treat them.

Today on The Lab Report:

2:45 Ticks are gross
6:15 Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
8:45 Babesiosis
11:30 Lyme disease and conspiracy theories?
13:10 Deer ticks, rashes, and spirochetes
14:20 Chronic Lyme disease controversies
16:00 Nuances in Lyme Disease testing
18:00 Pathophysiology and treatment of chronic Lyme

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Coffee Talk Jul 12, 2022

Show notes

Many of us start the day with a hot cup of coffee. It’s not only a delicious beverage, but coffee is also part of our collective social fabric. Some drink it mainly for the caffeine and stimulating effect without realizing some of the important health benefits to coffee. However, like all things, moderation is the key. Too much caffeine leaves many people feeling jittery and anxious and at times, this can be dangerous. But coffee is more than just caffeine. Other compounds within it have important influences on our health.

In today’s episode, we discuss the constituents of coffee and coffee beans and the mechanisms by which they affect health and disease.

Today on The Lab Report:

2:40 The basics of coffee
5:45 Caffeine – the good, the bad, and the ugly
11:30 Diterpenes (kahweol and cafestol)
14:00 Chlorogenic acids and antioxidants
14:55 Micronutrients, adding cream and sugar
17:00 Health benefits and risks – what does the literature say?
23:40 Question of the Day
- How does caffeine affect cortisol testing?

Additional Resources:

Adrenocortex Stress Profile

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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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arnica - Is it a Real Thing? Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

Of all the herbal and homeopathic natural therapies available, Arnica has become the most recognized in popular culture and the conventional medicine landscape. Many swear by its ability to reduce swelling, bruising, and inflammation. It can be found in over-the-counter gels, creams, and sometimes tinctures. Literature and outcome studies using Arnica cream are sparse, yet anecdotally there have been some interesting results. So, does it really work? And if so, how?

In today’s episode, we discuss the herb Arnica and its medicinal constituents. We break down the proposed mechanisms of action, benefits and potential dangers, and even touch on homeopathic dilutions.

Today on The Lab Report:

4:00 Introducing the Arnica plant
6:15 Medicinal plant constituents and physiologic effects
9:15 Preparations – poultices, tinctures, and cream/gel
11:15 Break it down – Homeopathy and dilutions
15:50 Toxicities and dangers of mis-using Arnica
19:35 What’s in a name?

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LPS and Gut Bacteria! Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

In general, we often think about the commensal bacteria as being beneficial to your health. Did you know that the bacteria in the gut microbiome can also contribute to systemic inflammation and disease? There is molecule called lipopolysaccharide (LPS) within the outer membrane of all gram-negative bacteria. LPS can be readily taken up into circulation where it acts as an inflammatory trigger (endotoxin). But not all LPS can trigger the immune system. Only LPS molecules with a structure containing at least six acyl groups are large enough to stimulate cytokine release – hexa-acylated LPS.

On today’s episode, we discuss the LPS molecule, and more specifically hexa-LPS. What is it, how does it cause a problem, and more importantly, what can we do to prevent it from causing inflammation?

Today on The Lab Report: