This time of year, a lot of us set out with well intentioned goals to lose weight and get fit. To the majority, this typically means restricting calories, a pledge to get to the gym more, and shed pounds. And all that sounds great. But what about your actual health?
While caloric intake and body weight are important barometers of your health, they don't come close to painting an accurate, useful, and most importantly--actionable--picture of what's going on inside your body. If you want to make a drastic impact on your health in 2025, there are certain biomarkers you should be thinking about.
What are they?
As someone who has overcome a mountain of chronic health challenges, I would advise anyone serious about health to ensure the following biomarkers are on his or her radar in the new year:
Ferritin: Know your ferritin levels, not just your hemoglobin or iron count.
Feeling tired? If so, your doctor might check your iron or hemoglobin levels and tell you iron isn't an issue. Think again. If your ferritin levels are below 50 ng/ml, you may suffer from a type of iron deficiency called "iron deficiency without anemia." You may feel tired, your hair may fall out, and you may find yourself prone to catching every virus that's circulating. Getting your ferritin levels up to over 50 ng/ml can be challenging, and simply popping iron pills isn't the answer. Iron supplements can be rough on your stomach, and taking too much iron at one time is toxic for the body. Working with a qualified practitioner is the best course of action if you find yourself in this position--just ensure your practitioner understands ferritin and iron counts.
Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone: Understand what your hormones are doing.
Are you estrogen dominant? Do you make enough estrogen but fail to detox it properly? Do you make too much testosterone? How are your progesterone levels? Work with a qualified holistic minded practitioner to figure these things out. Estrogen, as an example, impacts your body's ability to manage mast cells and as such is a driving force behind histamine intolerance. Estrogen also drives cancers and other conditions such as endometriosis. Progesterone helps keep estrogen in check; without proper levels, you're going to suffer a host of symptoms. Navigating hormonal imbalances is tricky, but imperative to achieving optimal health.
Mineral Deficiencies: Know your mineral deficiencies!
Hair Tissue Mineral Testing is a MUST, every three to six months.
We live in a toxic world. From the processed and chemical laden food that we eat, the lotions and cosmetics we place on our skin, and the often polluted indoor and outdoor air that we breath. It's no wonder almost everyone is sick. Toxic ratios of specific minerals (including heavy metals) as well as mineral imbalances can contribute to a wide array of health challenges, from food sensitivities, allergies, mast cell disorders, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, ADHD, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, digestive problems, the list goes on and on. That is where Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) comes in.
One simple hair test will provide your levels for over 35 minerals, including heavy metals, as well as over 25 critical mineral ratios. In my opinion, having overcome significant health challenges and having taken virtually every functional and blood test under the sun, I put HTMA in the #1 spot as far as its ability to impact your health. A deficiency in a single mineral can cause a slew of symptoms. Imagine what multiple deficiencies can do? How would you ever even know you had a deficiency absent this test? You wouldn't -- doctors won't run this sort of testing.
There is a lot that goes into being truly well, but these biomarkers will be critical on your journey to lasting health.
If you find yourself in need of more help on a chronic health challenge, visit www.healerwithinme.com for more information.