Is a simple blood test the key to living a longer, healthier life?

I’ve always loved a good set of blood tests. In fact, many of my patients come to see me specifically because they know I’ll be up to date on all of the vital information you can glean from a simple needle in your arm.

So, when I came across a recent study claiming that you can predict mortality based on 14 biochemical markers, needless to say… I was intrigued.

These biomarkers are a selection of lipids and amino acids. (And who was the first to tell you just how important amino acids are? Let’s not forget what the “A” in my A-List Diet stands for…)

And they couldn’t be getting attention at a better time…

Identifying risk, the simple way

As the population gets older, calendar age becomes less and less important, and biological age—that is, the general state of your health—becomes even more essential.

You can have one 70-year-old who is very healthy, while another is already suffering from multiple diseases. And these biomarkers will help doctors identify which patients are at higher risk and which to treat accordingly.

Considering all of the invasive and costly medical procedures out there—some of which come with very serious side effects—this type of testing could also help you decide how you’d like to be treated, by giving you a more complete picture of the risks and benefits.

Now, this testing is still new, with a lot more details yet to be worked out—such as clinical usage. But that’s to be expected.

Obviously, any kind of test designed to quantify mortality risk requires rigorous evaluation before you go designing treatment plans around it. (And let’s face it—I know I wouldn’t want my insurance company to have this type of personal information, either. But then I’m of the same mind when it comes to genetic testing results.)

Nonetheless, wouldn’t it be nice to know whether a proposed intervention is actually worthwhile? Because at the end of the day, drastic and life-altering treatments like surgery or chemotherapy aren’t always the best solutions—nor are they necessarily in the best interest of the patient.

Nothing is set in stone

Let’s take a deeper look at the test: Up to now, most research focused on identifying biomarkers of biological age has used roundworms or mice—which is a perfectly fine starting point, but you know how I feel about animal studies.

This study, however, used humans. So that alone gives it more credibility in my book.

Researchers pinpointed more than 150 different biomarkers, which they then narrowed down to 14—all of which had independent ties to overall mortality. And many of which are likely to ring a bell, if you’re a longtime reader of mine.

These biomarkers included:

• Acetoacetate albumin
• Acetylated glycoproteins
• Glucose
• High density lipoprotein (HDL, “good” cholesterol)
• Histidine
• Isoleucine
• Lactate
• Leucine
• Mean diameter of VLDL particles
• Phenylalanine
• Ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to total fatty acids
• Valine
• Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)

 

All of these markers play a role in lipid and sugar metabolism, fluid balance, and inflammation levels. And if all of them are in order, you are good to go. Which is why I do most of these tests on every single one of my patients already.

Because, really… why wouldn’t I? There are lifestyle and supplement changes patients can make to improve all of these markers—allowing you to live a longer, healthier life.

In other words, while this “mortality panel” provides some critical information, any type of concerning results aren’t a death sentence. They’re just an indication of what would likely happen if you stayed on your current path. The rest, as always, is up to you.

Because no matter how many cards are currently stacked against you, remember—you can always change the game.

P.S. My A-List Diet helps transform your health, energy, and vitality from the inside out. But you don’t have to just take my word for it. In fact, I discussed a personal success story in the May 2018 issue of my monthly newsletter, Logical Health Alternatives (“The A-List Diet turns one!”). Subscribers have access to this and all of my past content in the archives. So what are you waiting for? Sign up now! And don’t forget to head over to the A-List website to pick up a copy of the A-List Diet today.

Source:

“Blood Test for Life Expectancy: A Useful Decision-making Tool?” Medscape Medical News, 08/28/19. (medscape.com/viewarticle/917348)