
Nurse Doza’s Podcast comes to life in a very interactive way. Sure you can listen to the podcast, but this is just the beginning of your education in health. Every week, Nurse Doza dives into new health subjects and encourages you to submit your questions to be answered on the podcast, newsletter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and every other way that you like to take in educational media.
Episodes
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
The Importance of Hormone and Blood Tests for Optimal Health
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
In this episode of the School of Doza podcast, Nurse Doza discusses the importance of taking control of your health and provides valuable information on five blood tests you should be getting each year. With his passion for helping others, Nurse Doza aims to empower his listeners to optimize their health and make informed decisions. Don't forget to check out the Nurse Doza YouTube channel for video content and subscribe to the newsletter for bi-weekly updates.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 START
02:11 HSCRP: Marker of Inflammation.
04:28 Inflammatory diseases like autoimmune issues.
07:09 Fasting insulin and inflammation.
10:37 Athletes and their diet.
14:45 Problems with insulin and longevity.
19:23 Your body's response to stress.
23:49 Low DHS and mortality.
26:05 Chronic autoimmune disorders and infections.
28:06 Homocysteine and its implications.
31:08 High homocysteine and its impact.
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SHOW NOTES
FIRST: High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a critical marker of inflammation. This biomarker can predict the likelihood of myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and sudden cardiac death in healthy individuals with no prior history of cardiovascular disease. In addition, hs-CRP can also predict recurrent events and death in patients with acute or stable coronary syndromes[^1^]. Studies have shown that hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with depression than in control subjects, indicating low-grade inflammation[^2^]. Furthermore, CRP, the protein that hs-CRP measures, binds phosphocholine (PC) with high affinity in the presence of calcium (Ca++)[^3^].
Studies:
[^1^]: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein: clinical importance [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15258556/]
[^2^]: Elevated C-Reactive Protein in Patients With Depression, Independent of Genetic, Health, and Psychosocial Factors: Results From the UK Biobank [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33985349/]
[^3^]: C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Autoimmune Disease: Facts and Conjectures [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2486333/]
[^4^]: Therapeutic Lowering of C-Reactive Protein [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7901964/]
SECOND: Fasting Insulin
Fasting insulin is a critical test for detecting insulin resistance, which is associated with an exacerbated risk of hypertension in the general population[^2^]. Elevated fasting insulin concentrations can result from factors like neuroinflammation, oxidative stress from mitochondrial dysfunction, or dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis[^5^]. Additionally, leptin, another hormone related to insulin, has been found to correlate with various health conditions like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, dyslipidemia[^5^].
Studies:
[^2^]: Fasting insulin, insulin resistance and risk of hypertension in the general population: A meta-analysis [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27836689/]
[^3^]: Effects of Intermittent Fasting on the Circulating Levels and Circadian Rhythms of Hormones [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8419605/]
[^4^]: Circulating adiponectin levels associate with inflammatory markers, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome independent of obesity [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18253163/]
[^5^]: Peripheral versus central insulin and leptin resistance: Role in metabolic disorders, cognition, and neuropsychiatric diseases [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8642294/]
[^6^]: Partial Leptin Reduction as an Insulin Sensitization and Weight Loss Strategy [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6774814/]
THIRD: DHEA-S (Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate)
DHEA and its sulfated metabolite DHEA-S are endogenous hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex. These hormones are essential for the production of sex hormones, including androgens (testosterone and androstenedione) and estrogen[^1^]. Studies have shown that low DHEA-S levels have been associated with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular, and inflammatory diseases[^3
^]. Furthermore, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis have pointed out that DHEA could serve as a valuable biomarker for stress[^14^].
Studies:
[^1^]: DHEA and DHEA-S: a review [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10197292/]
[^2^]: Dehydroepiandrosterone [https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/dehydroepiandrosterone]
[^3^]: Very High Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEAS) in Serum of an Overweight Female Adolescent Without a Tumor [https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2020.00240/full]
[^4^]: Low serum DHEA-S is associated with impaired lung function in women [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7280766/]
[^14^]: DHEA as a Biomarker of Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.688367/full]
FOURTH: Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids that play a vital role in calcium homeostasis and bone health. Vitamin D insufficiency has been linked to various health problems, including cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, cognitive decline, and severe infections such as COVID-19[^7^]. There's also evidence suggesting that vitamin D can modulate the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties[^8^].
Studies:
[^7^]: Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6132695/]
[^8^]: A Review of the Critical Role of Vitamin D in the Functioning of the Immune System and the Clinical Implications of Vitamin D Deficiency [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/]
[^9^]: Vitamin D and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing studies with and without biological flaws [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24603370/]
[^10^]: Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on the Incidence of Gestational Diabetes [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6438452/]
FIFTH: Omega-3 Index
Omega-3 Index, expressed as a percentage, measures the amount of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in red blood cell membranes. It's considered a reflection of a person's omega-3 fatty acid status and has been correlated with various health outcomes. High levels of omega-3s are associated with a lower risk of death from heart disease[^11^]. In addition to cardiovascular benefits, omega-3 fatty acids also have anti-inflammatory properties and are crucial for brain health[^12^].
Studies:
[^11^]: Omega-3 Index and Sudden Cardiac Death [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2664414/]
[^12^]: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Inflammation [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257651/]
[^13^]: Omega-3 fatty acids and mood disorders [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18640689/]
[^15^]: Fish consumption, omega-3 fatty acids and risk of heart failure: A meta-analysis [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3499005/]