.svg)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissues. This inflammation leads to pain, swelling, and stiffness in the affected areas, and can eventually lead to joint damage and disability.
Functional nutrition is a holistic approach to health that seeks to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal health. In the case of RA, functional nutrition can be a valuable tool for managing symptoms and reducing inflammation.
By identifying and addressing imbalances in the body, a functional nutritionist can help individuals with RA improve their quality of life and reduce their reliance on conventional treatments
A. Genetic factors
Genetics can play a role in the development of RA. Certain genetic mutations have been linked to an increased risk of RA, and having a family history of the disease can increase an individual's likelihood of developing it.
B. Environmental triggers
Environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins, can trigger RA in individuals who have a genetic predisposition to the disease.
C. Microbiome imbalances
An imbalanced microbiome, or the collection of bacteria in the gut, can also contribute to the development of RA. Research has shown that imbalances in the gut microbiome can trigger inflammation and contribute to the development of autoimmune disorders.
D. Nutritional deficiencies
Nutritional deficiencies, such as low levels of Vitamin D, Omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, can also contribute to the development of RA.
A. Joint pain and swelling
Joint pain and swelling are the most common symptoms of RA. These symptoms are caused by inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissues.
B. Stiffness
Stiffness in the joints, particularly in the morning, is another common symptom of RA. This stiffness is due to the inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissues.
C. Fatigue
Fatigue is another common symptom of RA. The chronic inflammation caused by RA can lead to a state of chronic fatigue, which can interfere with daily activities.
D. Systemic symptoms
In addition to joint-specific symptoms, individuals with RA may experience systemic symptoms, such as fever, weight loss, and anemia.
A. Medications
Conventional treatments for RA typically include medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biological drugs. These medications can help reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms, but they can also have significant side effects.
B. Surgery
In severe cases of RA, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace damaged joints.
C. Physical therapy
Physical therapy is another conventional treatment approach for RA. Physical therapy can help improve joint mobility and reduce pain and stiffness.
A. Identifying and addressing underlying causes
A functional nutritionist will start by conducting a comprehensive assessment to identify any underlying imbalances in the body. This may include evaluating diet, lifestyle factors, and any nutritional deficiencies. By addressing these underlying causes, a functional nutritionist can help reduce inflammation and manage symptoms of RA.
B. Anti-inflammatory diet
One of the key components of the functional nutrition approach to RA is an anti-inflammatory diet.
An anti-inflammatory diet typically emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources, and healthy fats. The goal of an anti-inflammatory diet is to reduce the intake of pro-inflammatory foods, such as refined carbohydrates and added sugars, and to increase the consumption of anti-inflammatory foods, such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
C. Supplementation
In addition to diet, a functional nutritionist may recommend supplementation to address any nutritional deficiencies and support overall health. This may include Vitamin D, Omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, as well as other supplements to support gut health and reduce inflammation.
D. Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes, such as stress management techniques and physical activity, can also play a role in managing RA. A functional nutritionist can work with individuals to develop a personalized plan that includes these lifestyle changes to support their overall health and well-being.
There have been many success stories of individuals with RA who have used a functional nutrition approach to manage their symptoms. One example is a patient who suffered from severe joint pain and stiffness for years before turning to functional nutrition. With the help of a functional nutritionist, this patient was able to adopt an anti-inflammatory diet and make other lifestyle changes that reduced their inflammation and improved their overall health. Another example is a patient who was able to reduce their reliance on medication and improve their quality of life by addressing underlying imbalances and adopting an anti-inflammatory diet.
CONCLUSION
The functional nutrition approach to RA offers a holistic, personalized approach to managing symptoms and reducing inflammation. By addressing underlying causes and promoting overall health, a functional nutritionist can help individuals with RA improve their quality of life and reduce their reliance on conventional treatments.
If you are living with RA and are looking for a way to manage your symptoms and improve your overall health, consider seeking out the support of a functional nutritionist. With personalized guidance and support, you can adopt an anti-inflammatory diet, make other lifestyle changes, and address underlying causes to support your overall health and well-being.
https://www.thepaleomom.com/category/health-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/
https://terrywahls.com/category/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/
https://www.nutritional-solutions.net/category/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/
https://kellybroganmd.com/category/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/
https://drkarafitzgerald.com/category/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5800394/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5876593/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5769696/
Blood testing is an important tool to increase performance, improve recovery, and monitor training. It is a gold standard for validating, integrating, and calibrating other systems in sports training. The ultimate data set is blood, which can be tested quarterly to make changes to your program. Biomarkers, thanks to the advances in technology, are a great tool for achieving this goal. An easy blood test can provide valuable information about the body's reactions. This information can help coaches manage nutrition and training, assess stress levels, and identify any deficiencies. It also helps them to prevent injuries and optimize performance.
Every athlete is unique. Even though athletes may have similar training and eating habits, their bodies can react differently to different environmental and genetic factors. These differences should be taken into consideration, especially when optimizing performance. Let's look at 5 reasons athletes should have their blood tested regularly.
Nutrient deficiencies can manifest as fatigue, mood swings, depression, power output reduction, susceptibility or illness. Low levels of any of these can be due to a variety of nutrients. It's difficult to determine if symptoms are caused by a deficiency or another underlying cause, such as illness or infection. Once you have identified the nutrients that you are lacking, you can make changes in your diet or use supplements to increase them.
It is tempting to believe that you must train, train, and train in order to improve your performance. While training is essential to improve your performance, it's easy for people to forget the importance of rest. Not only does it give your body a break, but it is also an important part of the process for improvement. Your body's actual work of building muscle and strengthening bones, as well as increasing your aerobic capacity, takes place when you are at rest. The levels of biomarkers, including cortisol and white cells in the blood, can be used to identify overtraining. The body may be under stress if cortisol levels are high because it isn't getting enough rest. It can be a sign that your body is under stress because it doesn't have enough energy to properly fuel its immune system.
One test can give you a snapshot about your health. However, repeated testing over the course a season or more will allow you to see how nutrition changes affect your body and identify when you need more recovery and rest time after major events. It's motivating and inspiring to see your performance improve, no matter how small or large, and it allows you to understand how your body is evolving.
Athletes can be extremely frustrated when they are injured or ill. When you're used to being active and healthy, enforced rest is at best boring, and it can be tempting to ramp up the training before you're fully recovered or train harder than you should in an attempt to 'make up for lost time. But if you push yourself too hard or too soon, you risk delaying your recovery and jeopardizing your performance. If you're not sure if you've fully recovered from an illness, infection, or injury, a blood test can help you figure it out.
Food is an important source of energy. Food contains nutrients that are beneficial to meet one’s nutrient deficiencies. However, several food items have proven to be life-threatening for different people.
One of the most confusing health and nutrition topics is food allergy, sensitivity, and intolerance and how to distinguish them. These three topics have a range of differences, they each even come with a set of distinct definitions.
These adverse reactions to food come with individual intolerances to otherwise commonly tolerated food 1.
And complications are mostly related to:
Let’s start with the very first topic :
Food allergy is not a single disease, nor is it caused by one pathophysiologic disturbance. As such, it can be treated with many different medications, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Antibiotics, and Food Allergy Research (AAARR) website 2.
Food allergies are adverse immunologic reactions that might be due to immunoglobulin E (IgE)- or non-IgE-mediated immune mechanisms and can be caused by a variety of factors, such as exposure to food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, or even small amounts of insect bites 3.
More than 80% of food allergies are caused by exposure to tree nuts, shellfish, fish, wheat, sesame seed, and soy.
It is the protein component, not the fat or carbohydrate component, of these foods that leads to sensitisation and allergy 4.
Food-induced allergic disorders are broadly categorized into those mediated by IgE antibodies or by other mechanisms.
IgE-mediated allergic responses are the most widely recognised form of food allergy and are characterised by the rapid onset of symptoms after ingestion. During initial "sensitisation" to the food, consumption stimulates the production of IgE antibodies specific to that food which then bind to tissue basophils and mast cells.
Allergic reactions can be caused by exposure to foods that trigger the release of mediators, such as histamine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes, in the body. When the causal foods are subsequently eaten, they bind to their specific IgE antibodies and cause "clinical reactivity" and allergic symptoms.
It is important to note that sensitisation can be present without clinical reactivity, meaning that there is no actual reaction to exposure.
Non-IgE-mediated (cell-mediated) food allergy results from the generation of T cells that respond directly to the protein, leading to the release of mediators that direct certain inflammatory responses (e.g., eosinophilic inflammation). Dietary protein-induced reactions typically affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and skin and manifest as dietary-protein-induced enterocolitis and proctitis, celiac disease, and its related skin disorder, dermatitis herpetiformis 3 5 6 .
Food sensitivity is a type of immune-mediated response to food. Food triggers mainly IgG, causing inflammation (body’s defence mechanism in response to antigens). This may also contribute to increased symptoms of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). The response period is however delayed and you can still eat problematic food without any difficulty 8.
As compared to an immune-mediated response, food sensitivity also faces similar symptoms, with a delay in the onset of symptoms and a lack of IgE antibodies on testing 9.
Other symptoms that overlap with systemic discomforts are-
Food intolerances are adverse reactions caused by some unique physiologic characteristic of the host, such as metabolic disorders (e.g., lactase deficiency) 3. The cause of intolerance could be an enzymatic defect or the effect of vasoactive pharmacological substances present in food (enzymatic and pharmacological intolerance) 1.
Food intolerances can be seen in IBS patients and people with digestive issues. While a food allergy results from an immune system reaction to a specific food, food intolerances usually involve the digestive system, not the immune system 10.
Foods associated with intolerance are gluten, milk, sulfites, and food additives.
The different types of intolerances are as follows:
Table 1: Difference between allergy, sensitivity, and intolerance
References:
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is named so because it contains cobalt in its structure. Only bacteria, archaea, and the human microbiome can synthesise vitamin B12, while plants cannot, which is why it is difficult to obtain the same from plant sources. The main natural sources of vitamin B12 are clams, mussels, liver, mackerel, crab, salmon, beef, and chicken. Vitamin B12 is present in food products of animal origin only and not of plant origin. Vegetarians and the elderly are at higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Specifically, vegans are prone to B12 deficiency due to the lack of B12 in higher plants (plants with complexity in vascular tissue). The RDA for B12 is around 2.5 mcg/day for adults, 1.8 mcg for older children, 2.6 mcg for pregnant women, and 2.8 mcg for lactating mothers, which is the lowest of all the vitamins 1.
Vitamin B12 is essential for a variety of body processes, including metabolism, the production of red blood cells, and the defence of the brain system. It is necessary for the production of DNA and RNA and aids in the breakdown of fats and carbs. Megaloblastic anaemia, a kind of anaemia in which red blood cells are bigger than normal, can be prevented with vitamin B12. It is crucial for preserving normal blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid associated with an elevated risk of heart disease. Maintaining healthy neurological and cognitive processes, such as memory and focus, requires vitamin B12 2.
A lack of vitamin B12 can result in a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, depression, memory issues, difficulty focusing, and trouble walking. Along with eyesight abnormalities, those who are vitamin B12 deficient may also suffer tingling or numbness in their hands and feet. Anaemia, a disease in which the body is unable to create enough healthy red blood cells, can also result from a vitamin B12 deficit and cause weakness and exhaustion. The neurological system might become permanently harmed by a vitamin B12 deficiency over time 3.
Early detection and treatment of Vitmain B12 deficiency can often cure many hematologic and neuropsychiatric problems. Macrocytic anaemia is frequently brought on by vitamin B12 deficiency, which has also been linked to various neuropsychiatric problems. The effects of B12 deficiency on hyperhomocysteinemia and the development of atherosclerosis are currently being studied. Serum vitamin B12 levels are routinely measured to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency; however, around 50% of people with subclinical illnesses have normal B12 levels 4.
The normal B12 level ranges are 118 to 701 picomoles per litre (pmol/L) or 160 to 950 picograms per millilitre (pg/mL) 5 6.
However, the toxicity of high B12 levels is hardly discussed and is uncommon. Generally, high amounts of B12 are removed from the body through urine because this type of vitamin falls into the category of a water-soluble vitamin 7.
To confirm high vitamin B12 levels, patients are advised to take Holo TC and MMA Test 6.
Holo TC: Holotranscobalamine is a B12 status marker. This test detects vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia and other types of nerve damage.
MMA test: Methylmalonic acid is a substance made in small amounts during metabolism. Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in its metabolism. If our body doesn’t have enough vitamin B12, it will make excess MMA. Low MMA levels can signify vitamin B12 toxicity 7.
Homocysteine level test: It calculates the body's homocysteine levels, an amino acid. The examination is frequently used to identify vitamin B6, B9, or B12 deficiencies. The lower level of homocysteine indicates a high level of B12 8.
The formation of healthy red blood cells as well as the growth and operation of your baby's brain and spinal cord depend on vitamin B12. Additionally, vitamin B12 aids in the synthesis of DNA, which makes up every cell in infants. According to certain research, kids delivered to mothers who did not get enough vitamin B12 during pregnancy may be more likely to suffer neural tube abnormalities. Women who are pregnant require a little bit more vitamin B12 than usual 9. Normally, the daily requirement for Vitamin B12 is 2.4 mcg/day for men and women in general, but for pregnant and lactating women, it is 2.6 mcg/day to 2.8 mcg/day 1.
Naturally occurring vitamin B12 may be found in a wide variety of meals that come from animals. Despite the fact that there have been few published studies on the subject, there is no evidence or reason to believe that taking more vitamin B12 (in any form) during pregnancy increases the risk of congenital malformations or has any other negative effects on the foetus 10.
HAVE MORE PROTEIN! This is something athletes have heard all their life. Athletes can easily meet their recommendations for daily protein intake. However, in order to optimize the training effect, it is essential to understand the amount of protein required in each meal but also the quality of protein consumed. But what is exactly meant by quality protein?
The magnitude and speed with which we are able to make new proteins following protein consumption are taken into consideration when determining protein quality. The essential amino acids content and digestion/ absorption of a given protein source are included in the same.
High quality proteins are those that:
1). Provide all 9 EAAs in sufficient amounts :Essential amino acids stimulate protein synthesis.
2). Are abundant in leucine : An EAA that acts as both, a signal for protein synthesis to be on and as a building block for the formation of skeletal muscle protein.
3). Are easily digested and absorbed into circulation : After ingestion, proteins must be digested into amino acids, which are then absorbed and eventually delivered to skeletal muscle for protein synthesis.
The easiest and cheapest way to learn about the protein quality is to study its amino acid composition. Although termed “easy”, most food labels only report total protein and not the EAA value. Protein sources with a more favourable EAA and leucine content are considered more effective for synthesis of protein. Although the exact numbers may vary, the threshold for EAAs and leucine required to optimally stimulate protein synthesis is ~10 g and ~3 g respectively. (“https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/essential-amino-acid”)
The next method combines amino acid composition with digestibility of the protein. Protein quality can be ‘scored’ using 2 techniques such as the PDCAAS (protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score) and DIAAS (digestible indispensable amino acid score). Both these techniques compare the digestibility of a dietary protein against a reference protein to determine a score of protein quality; a higher score is equal to a higher quality protein.
Although an outdated method, PDCAAS evaluates the quality of a protein based on both the amino acids and their ability to digest. This method has been adopted by FAO/ WHO as a preferred method for the measurement of the protein value in humans. The highest PDCAAS value is 1.0 , indicating that the protein will provide 100% of the amino acids required in the diet. (or more) Whey,soy,casein and egg have a score of 1.0, indicating they are good quality protein.
The formula to get PDCAAS
PDCAAS % = [mg of limiting amino acid in 1 g test protein / mg of same amino acid in 1 g reference protein x (True digestibility %)]
This newer method takes into account the digestibility of amino acids at the end of the small intestine,in the ileum, providing a more precise measurement of the body's absorption of amino acids and the protein's contribution to the human requirement for amino acids. Assessing individual EAA is considered a better reflection of the amino acid absorption. However, there are limited number of proteins assessed for quality using the DIAAS
The formula to get DIAAS
DIAAS % = 100 x [(mg of digestible dietary indispensable amino acid in 1 g of the dietary protein) / (mg of the same dietary indispensable amino acid in 1g of the reference protein)]
The other methods for assessing the protein quality include blood amino acid concentration, muscle protein synthesis and anabolic signalling.
The best method for determining protein quality is to use a combination of all evaluations. However, for those who want to maximize the effects of protein on protein synthesis, PDCAAS and DIAAS scores probably provide less information. Unfortunately, athletes do not have access to good tools. As a result, it is suggested that athletes look for the EAA and leucine content of their food at the very least in order to determine the quality of their protein sources.
Have you ever wondered why, despite major advances in medical science, has the incidence of chronic diseases been increasing so rapidly?
The clue lies in the name by which they’re often referred to: “chronic lifestyle disease”. Our modern urban lifestyle is the biggest reason behind the increase in chronic diseases the world over. A lifestyle highly sedentary, locked indoors, away from the Sun- the food environment consisting of highly processed foods. Toxins in the air, water, and household products. Nutrient-depleted soil. Just to name a few.
But rather than changing our diet and lifestyles and working to replenish nutrients and eliminate toxins, we turn to pharmaceutical drugs for solutions. The conventional medical system today is, to a large extent, corrupted by the pharmaceutical lobby (estimated to be the biggest in the world among industries)- thus prioritizing symptom suppression through the sale of drugs instead of addressing the root causes through diet and lifestyle therapy.
The latter is what Functional Nutrition does.
Functional Nutrition is a novel form of holistic treatment that uses advanced testing and root cause analysis to reverse diseases and eliminate the risk of the disease. Root cause analysis is the process of identifying the underlying reason behind the emergence of diseases. A functional nutritionist uses more sophisticated assessment protocols for assessing test results which are based on rigorous research. We use what are known as optimal ranges for assessing results. These ranges are based on research to formulate what are the most optimal values for health. As opposed to the conventional practice, which is to use reference ranges most often just based on a plain statistical average of a population that is already very unhealthy as a whole- additionally, it is most often people who are sick who get tested at labs, making the problem worse.
Identifying the root causes helps the functional nutritionist to reverse the disease through diet, lifestyle changes, removal of underlying infections and detoxification, nutritional supplementation, functional movement, and other holistic practices.
Top renowned functional medicine practitioners like Chris Kresser, Mark Hyman, Amy Myers, and Terry Wahls have helped hundreds of thousands of people recover from difficult chronic conditions and are sought after globally for their knowledge and expertise.
“Functional Medicine is a hidden movement sweeping across the globe.”
-Mark Hyman, World renowned functional medicine practitioner and founder, The Ultrawellness Center
Cleveland Clinic, which is constantly ranked as America’s top hospital, recently opened a center for functional medicine.
Functional nutrition and functional medicine are forms of holistic medicine, and there is no regulatory body that is the authority on these terms. Functional Nutrition follows the same principles as functional medicine except with a focus on nutrition. The Institute of Functional Medicine in the US is the most well-known organization for functional medicine. It is accredited by ACCME, the US government body responsible for regulating specialized medical courses.
Another well-renowned functional nutrition institute situated in the USA is The Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy. Their course is available to individuals with some prior medical qualification or healthcare background. You can complete the course within 9 months but have a maximum of 24 months to finish it.
Another popular course in Australia is The Nutrition Academy which offers 4 courses including postgraduate courses and is accredited by the International Accreditation and Recognition Council. (IARC) and the International Institute for Complementary Therapsists(IICT). There are quite a few other good ones across the globe as well, especially in the USA, Europe, and Australia.
In India, iThrive Academy is the only organization offering a functional nutrition or functional medicine course. It is a 4-month certification course on functional nutrition.
Functional nutrition is a specialization of nutrition, so ideally, one should do a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in nutrition or a related field beforehand. However, the iThrive Academy course, being a certification course, anyone is eligible to enroll for. As long as they have a basic foundational knowledge of health and nutrition, there should not be an issue.
There are a number of different paths you can pursue once you’ve completed your functional nutrition training. You can work as a consulting nutritionist or health coach, either independently by yourself or under an organization. You can work in nutrition research, where you would be delving into the medical, and scientific literature and likely publishing papers yourself. You can also teach nutrition.
iThrive offers roles in nutrition consulting, R&D, and teaching as well through iThrive Academy.
To become a competent functional nutritionist one needs a thorough understanding of human physiology and nutrition. This serves as a foundation before proceeding to acquire additional specialized knowledge. A degree course in medicine or nutrition can help with this but is not mandatory. A personal interest in health and nutrition goes a long way in helping you succeed in the field, especially if pursuing an R&D role. Study of the blood and analysis of blood parameters is a key part of functional nutrition.
While skill requirements vary depending on the exact role, the following are some of the most commonly required skills to succeed in this field.
1. Patient communication skills. The ability to explain why something is significant and persuade someone to take a difficult action (eat properly, exercise, meditate).
2. Competence in program design or the capacity to design a program with clinical impact that a patient can follow.
4. Lifestyle coaching, the ability to serve as a mentor figure to your client and inspire them to make changes.
5. Setting an example. You need to be in good health yourself if you wish to work in this field, especially if you are working as a practitioner. This means having a healthy diet and lifestyle and having your health parameters at optimal levels.
6. You need to be able to read and interpret lab test results for all kinds of tests. If pursuing an R&D role, you need to be able to read and analyze medical research papers.
Testosterone is a male sex hormone that is responsible for the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics in men. It is produced primarily in the testicles, with small amounts also produced in the adrenal glands.
Testosterone plays a key role in the development of muscle mass, strength, and bone density, as well as the growth of body hair and the deepening of the voice.
In addition to its physical effects, testosterone also plays a role in regulating a man's sexual and reproductive function. It helps to maintain libido, sperm production, and erectile function.
Low testosterone is also known as hypogonadism. Some of the common symptoms of hypogonadism are:
Stress distorts the body's various biological functions; it disturbs the metabolism, sleep cycle but most importantly stress wrecks the body's hormonal profile. Our mood, energy, motivation, longevity and well-being are all maintained by your optimal hormonal profile.
The disruption in hormonal profile causes serious problems that can’t be detected until you get a bloodwork.
Basically, stress increases cortisol which has negative correlation with Testosterone.
Stress also increases the prolactin; prolactin is shown to inhibit testosterone, hyper-prolactin also causes erectile dysfunction.
The most important factor of Testosterone synthesis is production of Vitamin D & maintenance of its ideal levels.
There’s a positive correlation between Vitamin D levels and Testosterone; Vitamin D synthesis is increased by UVB light of the sun. The sun's ultraviolet B (UVB) rays interact with a protein called 7-DHC in the skin, converting it into vitamin D3, the active form of vitamin D.
This D3 is also responsible for driving calcium into the bones. Viewing the Sun at sunrise and sunset for 2-3 minutes, and getting the ideal Sun for 20-30 mins of the day is very optimum for D3 production and entire hormonal profile regulation.
P.S. If due certain circumstances you’re unable to get sun exposure, we recommend supplementing Vitamin D3 + K2. Get it here: https://www.ithrive.shop/products/vitamin-d3-k2
Physical activity is the easiest way to increase testosterone. Avoid working out till failure, 70-80% of efficiency mainly compound lifts to drive maximum benefits. Make sure your workout sessions do not exceed over 75 minutes as it increases cortisol production throughout your body. For cardio, avoid rigorous overextending cardio. A slight jog of 20 minutes is optimum. If you combine lifting weights and cardio, do cardio after your workout.
Testosterone is an extremely important hormone for normal functioning of men. There are tons of factors that are contributing to declining levels of testosterone today and it’s important to make conscious decisions to keep your health at optimal levels.
If you’re struggling with symptoms of Low testosterone and want a personalized strategy to get optimal levels sustainably, Book a consultation call with iThrive.
Visit https://consultation.ithrivein.com/ to know more.
Coffee was first introduced in India in 1670. That was a long time ago, and since then coffee is now a widely consumed beverage all around the world. In fact, in 2020/2021, around 166.63 million 60 kilogram bags of coffee were consumed worldwide, a slight increase from 164 million bags in the previous year. Strange as it may sound, it is the actual reality.
Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from roasted coffee beans, the seeds of berries from certain flowering plants in the Coffea genus. One can have coffee in various ways, like a latte, americano, cappuccino, espresso, cortado, macchiato, mocha, flat white, affogatto, irish coffee, etc. These are just the hot coffee drinks. The iced or cold coffee drinks consist of iced latte, iced americano, iced espresso, cold brew, nitro, frappuccino.
Did you know that coffee bean is not actually a bean? It’s a seed!
The coffee bean is a seed of the coffee plant. When coffee is picked from the coffee plant, it’s in the form of red ‘cherries’. There’s usually two beans inside each cherry, with the flat side on the inside, and the round side facing out.
The process of coffee making is quite simple. The process starts out with picking out the coffee cherries(fruit), and then the fleshy outer layer of the cherry is removed and what lefts out is the green coffee bean.
After the green coffee bean is inspected, a small batch of them is roasted and ground for taste testing.
After this, the coffee seeds are roasted, depending on the duration of roasting, they can be dark roasted too.
The next is packaging which is very important to keep them fresh.
The taste of the coffee depends on the proves of grinding, the more is the grinding, better will be the taste and flavour of it.
Coffee lovers all over the world have the habit of going for their morning brew but they should also know about it’s long term effects as well as complications. In 1991, WHO had included coffee in a list of possible carcinogens too.
Caffeine is a natural stimulant that is present in coffee, tea, cacao plants. Caffeine is the substance in coffee which leads to all the symptoms and long term complications Caffeine stimulates the Central Nervous System. It is rapidly and completely absorbed in humans, with 99 percent being absorbed within 45 minutes of ingestion. The usual coffee consumers could observe some symptoms after ingesting caffeine. Such as,
These are just the short term effects, but there are some long term complications related to it too.
Coffee is a very refreshing beverage, it makes one alert and very active. It has many positive effects too, but that is only when one will have that in moderate amounts. 400mg of caffeine is a safe amount of caffeine to consume daily. 3-4 cups of coffee is the daily limit which one should adhere to. Having coffee daily in moderation will provide with only the positive effects that caffeine has to offer.
References :
Advanced tests like the GI Map, organic acid and amino acid profile, and immune reactivity screen tests provide valuable information that goes beyond what can be obtained from basic tests. These tests can help identify underlying root causes that may not be apparent through standard testing methods.
There’s no denying that basic blood tests help in identifying most the dysfunctions that might be going on in your body, however the advanced tests give deeper insights into the true root causes.
Advanced tests are very preferable in certain instances like:
GI mapping is a test that analyzes the health of an individual's gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is the community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that live in the digestive tract. It plays a crucial role in overall health and well-being, as it affects everything from digestion and immunity to mood and metabolism.
GI mapping involves collecting a sample of an individual's stool and analyzing it for the presence of various types of bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms. It can also measure markers of inflammation and digestive function.
The results of a GI map can help identify imbalances in the gut microbiome that may contribute to digestive issues and other health problems. It can also provide insights into an individual's risk for certain conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Overall, GI mapping is a valuable tool for identifying imbalances in the gut microbiome and improving overall health and well-being. It can provide valuable information that goes beyond what can be obtained through standard testing methods.
To get your GI Map analysis done by Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, US, click the link below
https://www.ithrive.shop/collections/advanced-tests/products/gi-map-stool-analysis
Organic acid and amino acid profiling are advanced tests that provide detailed information about an individual's metabolism. These tests can help identify imbalances and deficiencies that may not be apparent through standard testing methods.
Organic acid testing is a metabolic test that measures the levels of various organic acids in the urine. These organic acids are by-products of metabolism, and their levels can indicate issues with the processing of carbohydrates, fats, and other nutrients. An organic acid test can also detect the presence of harmful bacteria and yeast overgrowth in the gut.
Amino acid testing, on the other hand, measures the levels of various amino acids in the blood, urine, or plasma. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and their levels can indicate issues with protein metabolism and nutrient deficiencies.
Together, organic acid and amino acid profiling can provide a comprehensive view of an individual's metabolism. They can help identify imbalances that may lead to nutrient deficiencies, energy production problems, and other health issues. The results of these tests can guide the development of a personalized nutrition and supplement plan to support optimal health.
Get your Organic acid and amino acid profile done:
https://www.ithrive.shop/collections/advanced-tests/products/omx-organic-metabolomics-test
Functional genomic analysis is a type of advanced test that examines an individual's genetic makeup to identify variations that may impact their health. This test examines specific genes and their variations, called Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), that can indicate an increased risk of certain conditions or diseases, as well as how a person may respond to certain medications or supplements.
Functional genomic analysis can provide a wide range of information, including an individual's risk for certain conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, as well as information about how a person metabolizes medications and nutrients.
One of the most well-known applications of functional genomic analysis is in the area of nutrigenetics, which is the study of how a person's genetic makeup affects their response to nutrients and dietary components. This can provide insights into an individual's nutrient needs and help tailor diet and supplement plans to their specific needs.
Get your Functional Genomic Analysis done here:
This test helps in detecting immune reactions to key pathogens that may lead to multiple autoimmune reactivities. One can also determine the role of pathogens in cases of ‘unexplained’ autoimmune reactivities plus you can monitor the effectiveness of clinical protocols for addressing pathogens associated with multiple autoimmunities.
Get your Pathogen-Associated immune Reactivity Screen Test done here:
CONCLUSION
Basic parameters help us get a brief overview of our health and issues that one may or may not be aware of.Advanced tests like GI Map, Organic acid and Amino Acid Profile, Functional Genomic Analysis, Immune reactivity screen test, etc. help us get the exact picture of our problems. They pinpoint the very disbalance which would’ve later become a symptom which would be detected by basic tests. But until then, it may be too late.
P.S. If you're not sure about which tests are right for you, consult with us and get clear help and directions to begin your healing journey. Visit our website www.ithrivein.com to know more.
The blog covers functional nutrition, chronic conditions, gut health, hormonal health, autoimmune conditions, sleep, mental health, and root cause analysis. Every article is written to help you understand what is actually happening inside your body, not just manage symptoms.
All articles are written by the content writers in collaboration with iThrive's clinical team of functional nutritionists, guided by the same methodology used in the ALIVE programme. The content is rooted in functional medicine and real clinical experience, not generic health advice.
No. The blog is an educational resource to help you understand your health more deeply. If you are experiencing symptoms or managing a chronic condition, a personalized Root Cause Analysis with a functional nutritionist is the right next step.
Book a Root Cause Analysis. For ₹2,500, a dedicated functional nutritionist will assess 60+ blood markers using optimal ranges and explain exactly what is driving your condition. It is the natural next step after reading about what might be happening in your body.
Yes. Many of our readers come with existing diagnoses and find the blog helps them understand why their condition developed and what their body actually needs. The articles are designed to give you clarity, not replace the guidance of a practitioner.
