Hack Your Labs

What is Your Health Risk Profile?

According the the American Heart Association, “Those with the highest variability on the four measures were 127 percent more likely to die; 43 percent more likely to have a heart attack; and 41 percent more likely to have a stroke. The increased risk applied when researchers looked at individual measures, too. For example, among people whose blood sugar varied greatly, heart attack risk increased by 16 percent and stroke risk by 13 percent.”

Recent statistics show that approximately 18 million people die each year from heart disease and stroke. Uncontrolled levels of blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol are major risk factors contributing to these conditions.

The Importance of Understanding Lab Ranges

Most people are familiar with "normal" lab ranges used by conventional medicine. However, these ranges are designed to detect disease, meaning that they often identify problems only when they are already significant. Functional lab ranges, on the other hand, are designed to identify potential issues before they turn into serious problems. Functional medicine focuses on optimizing health, not just avoiding illness, so keeping your metrics in the functional range can support your overall vitality and prevent chronic issues.

Understanding and targeting these functional ranges can lead to better health outcomes and, potentially, lower insurance rates. Below, we’ll explore ways to bring your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar within optimal ranges quickly—all by using natural interventions including Standard Process and MediHerb supplements, dietary changes, and simple lifestyle adjustments.

Cholesterol - Getting It Under Control

High cholesterol is a common reason for inflated insurance premiums. While statins are often the go-to prescription, these come with many short and long-term side effects,and there are effective natural strategies for bringing cholesterol levels to an optimal range.

What Causes Increased Cholesterol?

Cholesterol levels can be influenced by a variety of factors. The most common contributors include:

• Diet - Consuming high amounts of  processed and trans fats, typically found in packaged and fried foods, can increase cholesterol levels. Diets low in fiber and rich in sugar can also negatively impact cholesterol.
• Physical Inactivity - A sedentary lifestyle can lower levels of HDL (good cholesterol) while increasing LDL (bad cholesterol).
• Genetics - Some individuals are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol, regardless of lifestyle. Familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited condition that can lead to dangerously high cholesterol levels.
• Obesity - Excess weight can contribute to higher LDL cholesterol levels and lower HDL cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease.
• Smoking - Cigarette smoking can lower HDL cholesterol and damage blood vessels, which leads to plaque buildup.

Cholesterol

• Diet - Focus on incorporating good quality fats, such as olive oil, avocado, fish and pastured meats, into meals. Combine these fats with high-fiber salads for best results. Dietary fiber helps reduce blood sugar spikes that lead to increased cholesterol production.

Standard Process & Mediherb Supplements

• Soybean Lecithin - Supports healthy fat metabolism and helps to clear bile ducts. Take 2 capsules per day.
• Choline - Supports liver function and fat metabolism, ensuring that cholesterol does not build up in arteries. Take 2 tablets per meal.
• LivCo - Assists in liver detoxification, which is crucial for cholesterol regulation. Take 1 tablet twice per day.
• Livaplex - Supports cardiovascular health and cholesterol metabolism. Take 3 tablets per day.

Lab Ranges and Timeframes

• Normal Range: Total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL.
• Functional Range: Total cholesterol between 150-220 mg/dL, and (most importantly) Total Cholesterol divided by HDL that equals less than 3.
• Timeframe for Improvement: Depending on the severity and duration of high cholesterol, improvements can typically be seen in 4 to 8 weeks with consistent adherence to the protocol.

Blood Pressure - Bringing it Down Naturally

Elevated blood pressure can increase your life insurance premiums significantly. Bringing blood pressure to a functional level requires a combination of nutrition, movement, and supplements.

What Causes Increased Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is influenced by multiple factors, including:

• Diet - High processed sodium intake, often found in packaged foods, can lead to fluid retention and increased blood pressure. Diets high in sugar and unhealthy fats can also be detrimental.
• Stress - Chronic stress can cause a prolonged increase in blood pressure. The body's stress response releases hormones like cortisol, which can elevate blood pressure over time.
• Lack of Physical Activity - Inactivity contributes to weight gain, increased heart rate, and decreased efficiency of the cardiovascular system, all of which contribute to high blood pressure.
• Alcohol and Smoking - Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are both major contributors to increased blood pressure. Alcohol can affect the balance of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are important for maintaining healthy blood pressure, along with spiking insulin levels.
• Genetics and Age - Family history and aging can also increase the risk of developing high blood pressure. Blood vessels lose elasticity with age, which can contribute to hypertension.

Protocol for Blood Pressure

• Lifestyle - Engage in low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming, and [IMPORTANT] make sure to drink plenty of filtered water to stay hydrated!

Standard Process & Mediherb Supplements

• Cardio-Plus - Supports cardiovascular health and cholesterol metabolism. Take 3 tablets per day.
• Organically Bound Minerals- Provides minerals to help balance electrolytes and support the body’s stress response. Take 3 tablets per day.
• Cataplex B2 - Supports the health of blood vessels and promotes healthy circulation. Take 3 tablets per meal.
• Ashwagandha Forte - Helps manage stress, which can contribute to high blood pressure. Promotes relaxation and supports adrenal function. Take 1 tablet twice daily.

Lab Ranges and Timeframes

• Normal Range: Blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg.
• Functional Range: Blood pressure between 110/70 and 120/80 mmHg.
• Timeframe for Improvement: Depending on individual factors and duration of elevated blood pressure, improvements can generally be seen immediately, but should be followed for 60 days with adherence to lifestyle and supplement protocols. Keep a blood pressure log to better understand how these lifestyle changes work.

Blood Sugar - Control Today, Save Tomorrow

Blood sugar issues are increasingly common, and higher HbA1c levels can signal risk for diabetes—a condition that significantly raises health and life insurance rates. Fortunately, there are ways to improve blood sugar regulation naturally.

What Causes Increased Blood Sugar?

Elevated blood sugar can result from several contributing factors, including:

• Diet - High consumption of refined carbohydrates and sugars, especially corn syrups, leads to spikes in blood sugar. Processed foods that are low in fiber are quickly digested, leading to rapid increases in blood sugar levels. Alcohol spikes insulin, leading to sugar dysfunction.
• Stress - When you are stressed, the body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which increase blood sugar levels. Chronic stress can lead to consistently elevated blood glucose.
• Lack of Physical Activity - Lack of regular physical activity reduces insulin sensitivity. Exercise helps muscles use glucose more efficiently, and inactivity can lead to insulin resistance.
• Sleep Deprivation - Poor sleep quality or lack of sleep affects insulin sensitivity and can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
• Obesity - Excess fat, particularly abdominal fat, can cause the body to become resistant to insulin, leading to increased blood sugar levels.

Protocol for Blood Sugar

• Diet - Aim for two large salads a day. This not only adds fiber but also helps keep blood sugar levels stable. Stable blood sugar = weight loss! Reduce sugar, refined carbs and alcohol. 
  Exercise- Even 10 minutes of walking after meals can reduce blood sugar quickly. Weight training at least twice per week also helps tremendously.
  Stress- manage stress by getting enough sleep, doing breathing or meditation exercises, and connecting with community.
  
  
  
  

 Standard Process & Mediherb Supplements

• Chromium Complete (formerly Cataplex GTF) - Supports glucose metabolism and helps the body properly use insulin. Take 3 tablets per day.
• Gymnema - Supports healthy blood sugar levels, reduces A1c levels, curbs sugar cravings, and assists in the regeneration of beta cells in the pancreas. Take 2 tablets after meal.

Lab Ranges and Timeframes

• Normal Range: Fasting blood sugar between 70-99 mg/dL, HbA1c below 5.7%.
• Functional Range: Fasting blood sugar between 75-85 mg/dL, HbA1c between 4.8-5.2%.
• Timeframe for Improvement: Improvement in A1C can often be seen in 60 to 90 days because that is the lifespan of red blood cells, depending on how long blood sugar issues have persisted and adherence to dietary and supplement protocols.

Keep it Simple, Keep a Journal

Keeping a journal is a simple yet powerful tool to track your progress and stay committed to improving your health. By consistently recording key factors like blood pressure, sleep quality, supplements, and dietary habits, you can gain valuable insights into what works best for your body.

Here’s how journaling can help you optimize your health:

• Blood Pressure Tracking - Regularly monitoring your blood pressure allows you to observe patterns, see improvements, and quickly identify any concerning changes. Record your readings daily, along with the time of day and any activities that might have impacted your numbers (e.g., stress, exercise, or meals).
• Sleep Patterns - Sleep is crucial for managing stress, blood pressure, and overall well-being. By tracking how many hours you sleep and noting the quality of your rest, you can spot trends and understand how factors like diet, exercise, or stress may affect your sleep. This data can help you make adjustments to improve your sleep and health outcomes.
• Supplement Routine - Keeping a log of your daily supplements helps you stay consistent and allows you to track how they affect your health metrics over time. Make a note of dosages and any changes in how you feel, so you can fine-tune your regimen with your healthcare provider.
• Dietary Habits - What you eat plays a significant role in managing blood pressure and overall health. Use your journal to record meals, snacks, and beverages, and highlight any changes you make, such as reducing sodium or increasing fiber intake. This will help you link dietary changes to improvements in your blood pressure and energy levels.

Healthy Metabolism Checklist

Maintaining a healthy metabolism is essential for energy, weight management, and overall well-being. Following these key practices can help you optimize your metabolism naturally and sustainably:

• Avoid Processed Foods & Sugars - Highly processed foods and added sugars can slow down metabolism and contribute to weight gain. Focus on whole foods like organic vegetables, quality proteins, and healthy fats to fuel your body more effectively.
• Maintain Daily Salads & Smoothies -  Incorporating nutrient-dense salads and smoothies into your daily routine provides your body with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. These meals will not only make you feel full, but also packed with metabolism-boosting ingredients like leafy greens, fruits, and healthy fats.
• Engage in Regular Physical Activity - Consistent movement, whether through walking, strength training, or cardio, helps to burn calories, build muscle, and keep your metabolism running efficiently. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week.
• Prioritize Consistent Sleep Patterns - Getting enough quality sleep each night is crucial for maintaining a healthy metabolism. Poor sleep can disrupt hormone levels, leading to increased appetite and slower calorie burn. Strive for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
• Practice Stress Management - Chronic stress can negatively impact your metabolism by increasing cortisol levels, which can lead to weight gain and poor energy levels. Incorporate stress-relieving practices like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing to keep stress under control.
• Stay Hydrated - Drinking enough water throughout the day helps your body process nutrients and maintain energy levels. Staying hydrated also aids digestion and can slightly boost your metabolism.
• Limit Alcohol and Avoid Smoking - Excessive alcohol and smoking can harm metabolic health. Reducing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking can improve your body's ability to process nutrients and maintain optimal metabolic function.
• Herbal and Nutrient Protocol - Support your metabolism with targeted supplements and herbs. Nutrient-rich supplements like those from Standard Process and MediHerb can provide the essential vitamins, minerals, and herbal support your body needs to maintain metabolic balance and energy.

Investing in Your Health

By taking control of your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar, you’re not only improving your health but also potentially lowering your insurance premiums. Standard Process and MediHerb offer natural, effective solutions that can help you stay within functional lab ranges, promoting long-term vitality and resilience.

Whether it’s improving cholesterol, managing blood pressure, or stabilizing blood sugar, making these adjustments can have a profound impact on both your health and financial well-being. Start optimizing your body today—your future self, and your insurance premiums, will thank you.

Ready to take the first step? Contact us for personalized supplement recommendations and begin your journey toward better health and savings now!

References

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Statement on Research and Efficacy

At the core of this article is a commitment to providing recommendations backed by credible research and clinical evidence. The protocols and supplements mentioned, including those from Standard Process and MediHerb, are supported by both traditional herbal wisdom and modern scientific studies. Numerous peer-reviewed studies have highlighted the efficacy of natural interventions in managing key health markers like cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Research on specific ingredients, such as Ashwagandha, Gymnema, and Soybean Lecithin, demonstrates their role in supporting healthy metabolism, stress management, and glucose regulation.

While individual results may vary, these natural solutions are designed to optimize lab metrics and overall health when combined with lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and stress management. We encourage consulting with a healthcare professional to ensure that these interventions are tailored to your specific health needs, as part of a personalized wellness plan.

Disclaimer

The statements made in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. While the research referenced provides promising insights, it is not exhaustive, and the conclusions drawn should not be taken as definitive. Individuals considering these supplements or dietary changes should consult with a healthcare professional to determine what is appropriate for their specific health needs. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.