a crash course on finding out what is happening inside your body

8/13/2019 A Crash Course on Finding Out What is Happening Inside Your Body

1/15

A Crash Course On Finding Out What Is

Happening Inside Your Body.

Ben Greenfield racing a Half Ironman last weekend, photo courtesy James RichmanDo you ever wish you could know eactly what is going on inside your !ody"

In my recent bout with MRSA(a nasty staph infection), I certainly wished I could know what wasgoing on inside my body.

After all, how on earth could a young, ibrant, healthy guy like me somehow hae an immune defensesystem that can!t handle e"ternal attacks from a tiny staphylococcus organism#

Something $ust didn!t seem right.

What a!out you"

Do you get tired a lot? Brain fog every afternoon?

hort of !reath when you"re going up stairs?

Difficulty sleeping?

ore muscles no matter how well you feel like you"re managing recovery?

lower or weaker than you think you should !e compared to the amount of actual training that you do?

%hat stuff isn!t normal, and it shouldn!t be happening to you. So in today!s post, I!m going to walk youthrough e"actly how I found out what was going on inside my body, and the tools I used to do it &which are totally accessible to you too.

In this day and age, self'testing is easier than you think, and !y the ti#e you $inish reading this crash

course on $inding out what is happening inside your !ody% you&ll know eactly how to take chargeo$ your own health and identi$y all the things that could !e causing pro!le#s $or you ' includinghormone leels, protein allergies, gut issues and more.

After you read this post, feel free to leae any uestions that you hae below, as I know that this stuffcan get confusing sometimes

Baseline Blood Assess#ents

My recommendations for baseline blood assessments include the basic tests that your generalpractitioner physician might order if you were to go in for your annual physical, but when I did my

baseline testing, I added in some ariables that are ery important to truly understand what!s going oninside your body (these are the same *add'ons+ I recommend inodcast -pisode /001 2hat 3lood%ests %o Ask 4our 5octor 6or 2hen 4ou 7o In 6or 4our hysical).

6or what costs about 8/99, I personally split my baseline assessments into : basic categories1 /)#ardiovascular Health$ %& Inflammation$ '& (eta!olism)Hormones$ *& +iver)idney$ -& .utrients)/lectrolytes.

3elow, I!ll show you a uick ideo of my 2ellness6;dashboard (2ellness6;is where I got thesebaseline blood markers tested) and then describe these tests in more detail below, along with my noteson what was good and what was bad in my case.
http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/06/how-safe-are-you-from-this-creeping-killer-that-lives-in-gyms/http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/03/episode-188-what-blood-tests-to-ask-your-doctor-for-when-you-go-in-for-your-physical/http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/03/episode-188-what-blood-tests-to-ask-your-doctor-for-when-you-go-in-for-your-physical/http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/03/episode-188-what-blood-tests-to-ask-your-doctor-for-when-you-go-in-for-your-physical/http://get.wellnessfx.com/cngshttp://get.wellnessfx.com/cngshttp://get.wellnessfx.com/cngshttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/03/episode-188-what-blood-tests-to-ask-your-doctor-for-when-you-go-in-for-your-physical/http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/03/episode-188-what-blood-tests-to-ask-your-doctor-for-when-you-go-in-for-your-physical/http://get.wellnessfx.com/cngshttp://get.wellnessfx.com/cngshttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/06/how-safe-are-you-from-this-creeping-killer-that-lives-in-gyms/


2/15

Cardiovascular Health

of heart attacks occur in people with totally *normal+ cholesterol leels, and two'thirds ofpeople with what modern medicine would describe as *healthy+ cholesterol hae other diagnosable riskfactors for cardioascular disease. 6or those of you want to really geek out on cholesterol, my friendeter Attia has a great series on cholesterol at his -atingAcademy blog,but what the issue comes downto is this1

0hen it comes to cardiovascular markers for health, particularly your cholesterol and lipid panels,

you need to go !eyond typical tests for total cholesterol, HD+ and +D+ to uncover the actual riskfactors for early heart disease1

%he tests that I had performed were1

23otal #holesterol& my leels are fairly high (??0), but nearly half of that is @5, and I eat a high fatdiet, so no surprises there Remember, total cholesterol is not an indicator of heart disease.2HD+& good2+D+& good23riglycerides& good (low)2+p4a&& good

25poB ' this was slightly eleated in my case, probably due to the fact that I had some inflammationand o"idiBed cholesterol in my bloodstream from a @alf'Ironman the week prior.

In$la##ation

%ons of research has shown that high sensitiity C'Reactie rotein (hs'CR) inflammation marker isassociated with lack of recoery from hard workouts and also with the future onset of diseases such ascancer, dementia, cardioascular disease, and many other chronic diseases. %here are otherinflammatory markers you can test, but hs'CR is the most important.

2hs2#R6 ' my leels turned out to be low, probably due to my high intake of Caprafle"and henocane.

'eta!olis# ( Hor#ones

Among the issues that can affect your metabolism, thyroid disease and insulinDblood sugar issues arethe most common hormone imbalances and can lead to many symptoms such as fatigue or restlessness,heat or cold intolerance, and weight gain or loss. %ons of people hae undiagnosed thyroid imbalanceandDor insulin insensitiity.

My tests for metabolism and hormones were1

23H& slightly eleated, so I will follow up with %E and %F testing to make sure my actual actiethyroid hormones are adeuate.2Glucose& good.2H!57c 8 slightly high, and as a E month snapshot of blood glucose, this was not as surprise, as I haeseeral high carbohydrate weeks during race season.

)iver ( *idney Health

4our kidney and lier are you body!s filters, and they deto" your body of harmful pollutants from youreeryday enironment. 2hen these organs are optimally functioning, they play a large role in helpingyou to aoid chronic diseases such as cardioascular disease and cancer, and also let you handleenironmental pollutants much better.

6or lier and kidney, I tested1

2B9.& high, pretty typical in actie indiiduals who are breaking down muscle on a regular basis, so
http://eatingacademy.com/category/cholesterol-2http://eatingacademy.com/category/cholesterol-2http://www.pacificfit.net/items/capraflexhttp://www.pacificfit.net/items/phenocanehttp://eatingacademy.com/category/cholesterol-2http://www.pacificfit.net/items/capraflexhttp://www.pacificfit.net/items/phenocane


3/15

no surprises there.2#reatinine& also high, for the same reason aboe.253& high. In this case, my lier was processing the antibiotics I had $ust come off from the MRSA,so again, no surprises, but my 2ellness6;physician recommend I get another lier test soon $ust tomake sure.25+3& good

23otal Biliru!in& good25l!umin& good23otal 6rotein& good

+utrition ( ,lectrolytes

-lectrolytes such as sodium, potassium and others are critical in allowing your body!s cells to functionproperly and the right balance of electrolytes helps to optimiBe nere and cellular function that supportsnearly eery system in the body.

In addition calcium and Gitamin 5 are essential for hormone and steroid formation, strengthening theimmune system, and reducing the risk of cancer.

6or these markers, I tested1

2:itamin D& I see Gitamin 5 leels low in nearly eeryone I help with testing,but my leels were eryhigh (almost H=), likely due to my high amounts of sun e"posure and cod lier oil consumption.2#alcium

2odium26otassium

2#;%

So how did it work if you want to get these baseline blood markers#

3asically, after purchasing a test kit, you $ust print a *reuisition form+ and isit one of the2ellness6;partner laboratories for a blood draw. %hen you!re notified to schedule your phone consultation witha physician of your choice to reiew your results and discuss their recommendations.

4ou should know that 2ellness6;is currently aailable in California,


4/15

Allergic and other hypersensitiity reactions to foods can actually characteriBed by eleated allergen'specific antibody leels in the affected indiidual!s blood. %here is one type of test called an -nBymeinked Immunosorbent Assay (-ISA) methodology that test allergies and sensitiities to a ariety ofcommon allergens.


5/15

Another ery good option for food allergy testing (especially for gluten) is Cyre" abs. %hey do theirtesting through saliary panels that coer all areas of gluten, and also make aailable a test that canpinpoint the ery areas of your body that are being most affected by gluten.

%o get your hands on either of these food allergy tests, you must go through a licensed medical careproider, meaning that they need to order the test for you, but that!s easy to do and both sites I linked toaboe gie you instructions on how to do it.

-u##ary so $ar O!viously% this was a !iggie $or #e. I cutting cow dairy and eggs.

JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

-ecretor Blood 5ype

%he secretor blood type testis based on 5r. eter 5!AdamoLs blood typing test protocol and bloodtyping diet.

If you hae a reason to want to be een more strict in adhering to the diet for health concerns, such asmy aforementioned concerns about my MRSA scare, this home kit for salia testing, which runs about8:='=, allows you to refine your diet een further.

2hile the aerage person may not really need this information, people with special needs and moreserious health concerns may want to know their secretor status in order to open the door to een morespecific dietary guidelines. In my case, because of the MRSA issue, I was encouraged by5r. Schlapferto also complete this test.

As you can see, I was identified as a *%ype A Secretor+1
http://www.cyrexlabs.com/http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XSLAI2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003XSLAI2&linkCode=as2&tag=bengree-20http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XSLAI2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003XSLAI2&linkCode=as2&tag=bengree-20http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2011/07/episode-155-what-is-naturopathic-medicine/http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2011/07/episode-155-what-is-naturopathic-medicine/http://www.cyrexlabs.com/http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XSLAI2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003XSLAI2&linkCode=as2&tag=bengree-20http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XSLAI2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003XSLAI2&linkCode=as2&tag=bengree-20http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2011/07/episode-155-what-is-naturopathic-medicine/


6/15

3ased on this information, 5r. %odd supplied me with list of appropriate foods for a %ype A Secretor (inthis case, he specifically gae me a low glycemic inde" food chart, because I try to keep my bloodsugar leels ery well controlled).

@ere!s a sample page from my food list1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XSLAI2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003XSLAI2&linkCode=as2&tag=bengree-20


7/15

-u##ary so $ar I&ll !e sticking to #y secretor type list $or the net 67 days to see how I look% $eel

and per$or#.

8888888888888888888
http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/FoodList.png


8/15

9ut 5esting

Although I did not do a gut test in the past couple months, I can!t write a post about how to test yourbody without including this ital information.

%he first time I decided to do gut testing was when I interiewed Anne ouise 7ittleman in the episode*@ow Many Critters Are iing In 4

4ou now know more than 99> of the population about how to self'test your body, and I hope that wasa aluable crash course for you.

It may seem e"pensie, but all these tests together are less than a thousand bucks, and to me, that iswell worth the inestment in health and saings in health insurance premiums and hospital bills.

+ow it&s your turn0

If you have questions about what you should get tested, WellnessFX, your baseline blood marker

tests, allergy tests, secretor tests or gut tests, then leave your comments below, and I promise to

answer!

6; 2esponses to 3A Crash Course On Finding Out What Is Happening Inside Your

Body.4
http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2009/01/podcast-episode-29-how-many-critters-are-living-in-your-gut-making-you-fat-tired-lazy-bloated-and-sick-hint-more-than-you-think/http://pacificfit.net/items/expanded-gi-panel/http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Ben.Greenfield.GI_.2.9.12.pdfhttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Metametrix.GI-Effects-IG.pdfhttp://pacificfit.net/items/expanded-gi-panel/http://get.wellnessfx.com/cngshttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2009/01/podcast-episode-29-how-many-critters-are-living-in-your-gut-making-you-fat-tired-lazy-bloated-and-sick-hint-more-than-you-think/http://pacificfit.net/items/expanded-gi-panel/http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Ben.Greenfield.GI_.2.9.12.pdfhttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Metametrix.GI-Effects-IG.pdfhttp://pacificfit.net/items/expanded-gi-panel/http://get.wellnessfx.com/cngs


9/15

/. Ben Greenfieldsays1August 9, ?=/? at 01=0 pm

INm not a doctor.

3ut that CO at 99 is what concerns me most. %hatNs an inflammatory firestorm. INd be doingsome serious anti'inflammatory protocols and if youNre e"ercising right now, INd consider puttingthat on hold for a bit.

If your labs show a high reerse %E leel this means that you are conerting most of your %Finto reerse %E. %E is the most actie form of thyroid and it is conerted from %F, but theproblem with reerse %E is that it will bind to %E receptors with no actiity & so high reerse %Eleels can gie you signs of hypothyroidism een though the other thyroid hormones arenormal.

-"cessie cortisol (stress) can amp up reerse %E. INll bet you know what INm going to say1 gieyourself some recoery

Reply

?. Rekasays1August /=, ?=/? at E1E? am

3it scared. If I was told to stop eating eggs, I don!t know what I would do.

Reply

Ben Greenfieldsays1August /=, ?=/? at :1:/ am

Apparently, duck eggs are


10/15

site but you hae to hae it ordered with your primary and before I $ump through any hoopsthought you could tell me the cost (INm sure my insurance doesnNt pay). %hanks.

Reply

Ben Greenfieldsays1August /=, ?=/? at H1=E am

Qames, A/ s. A? is not differentiated on the S 3io%ek test.

My total for all labs e"cept 2ellness6; looking at my receipt was 8EF=. So I know thatthe secretor was about 8=, which means the antibody was probably about 8?0=Kandthat includes the lab fees and the fact that I paid out of pocket with no insurance co'payK

Reply

:. (elaniesays1August /=, ?=/? at 91?: am

@i 3en,

6or odcast /0H, I had asked about metabolic type diets and blood type diets. 4ou respondedthat in general you didnNt put much stock in those and might be more trouble than they areworth. 5oes this testing you hae done and info you put in the post mean that you hae changedyour opinion or are you simply saying that you are willing to try out the blood type diet to seehow it goes# Interesting to note that some cow dairy is on your %ype A list, but your allergentest suggests it is a problem.

Melanie

Reply

Ben Greenfieldsays1August /=, ?=/? at /=1F= am

-"actly Melanie. %his is a self test of blood typing protocols. And in that podcast, Idirected M


11/15

you were aware of. INe been wondering for myself if any type of dairy is a problem or if eggsare and hae considered the e"panded 7I panel since I donNt hae to go through a doctor. I donNthae a doctor and haenNt in years needed one and hate to try to find one $ust to get allergentesting. I hae an


12/15

9. (arksays1August /E, ?=/? at F1F= pm

@ey 3en, do you know where I could get these tests done in Australia#

Reply

Ben Greenfieldsays1August /E, ?=/? at 1? pm

Check1 http1DDwww.labtestsonline.org.auD

Reply

/=. tu #ameronsays1August /E, ?=/? at :1=9 pm

Mark, you beat me to the uestion there, we seem to miss out on some of the cool stuff that youhae oer in the S

Reply

(arksays1August /:, ?=/? at E1?= am

4eah i know, I always try to find an Australian outlet for anything that I find worthtrying, but struggle with most

Reply

//. (ersays1August /F, ?=/? at 91E= pm

interesting that you mention cowDchicken dairy detriment. are you cutting them out completely#coincides timingn'wise with this article in the atlantic on eggs and cholesterol (yolks being asbad as cigarettes)

Reply

!en@greenfieldsays1August /:, ?=/? at /=1: am

Mer, actually that eggDcholesterol study is something completely different. See my

response to 5ennis below. In my case, it is simply an allergy issue & so I am almostcompleting cutting out /) cow dairy and ?) eggs.

Reply

/?. 6aid 3o Drivesays1August /:, ?=/? at ?1?F am

certainly like your web'site howeer you hae to take a look at the spelling on uite a few of
http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/#comment-89918http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/?replytocom=89918#respondhttps://www.facebook.com/bengreenfieldfitnesshttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/#comment-89920http://www.labtestsonline.org.au/http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/?replytocom=89920#respondhttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/#comment-89919http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/?replytocom=89919#respondhttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/#comment-89938http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/?replytocom=89938#respondhttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/#comment-89933http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/?replytocom=89933#respondhttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/#comment-89943http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/?replytocom=89943#respondhttp://www.advercarzing.com/contactus.phphttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/#comment-89937http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/#comment-89918http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/?replytocom=89918#respondhttps://www.facebook.com/bengreenfieldfitnesshttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/#comment-89920http://www.labtestsonline.org.au/http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/?replytocom=89920#respondhttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/#comment-89919http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/?replytocom=89919#respondhttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/#comment-89938http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/?replytocom=89938#respondhttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/#comment-89933http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/?replytocom=89933#respondhttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/#comment-89943http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/?replytocom=89943#respondhttp://www.advercarzing.com/contactus.phphttp://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/08/how-to-self-test-your-body/#comment-89937


13/15

your posts. Seeral of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it ery troublesome to tell thereality howeer I will definitely come again again.

Reply

/E. Dennissays1August /:, ?=/? at H1E/ am

7ood morning 3en, I $ust read a 4ahoo research post from Canada that claimed eating eggyokes was as bad for your arteries as smoking. 2hat do you think of a study with this outcome#

Reply

!en@greenfieldsays1August /:, ?=/? at /=1:H am

4es, I responded to this on %witter.comD3en7reenfield from someone else, but basicallyI can completely beliee this. 5ietary sugars, egetable oils and grains were notcontrolled, and neither was the omega fatty acid content of the eggs (i.e. grain fedchickens). %hat is a recipe for o"idiBed cholesterol and artery damage, and also a real

reason to AG


14/15

before#

Reply

!en@greenfieldsays1?6>?6www.bengreenfieldfitness.com>?6?=/?>?6/=>?6how'your'cells'talk'to'each'other>?6@owV%oV7etV4ourVCellsV%oVCommunicateV2ithVightningVSpeed?=/?'/='?=V=9>EAE=>EAF:3enV7reenfieldhttp>EA>?6>?6www.bengreenfieldfitness.com>?6

>E6p>E59H= Click to subscribe to all my fitness tips. %weet (function() W ar po Xdocument.create-lement(NscriptN)Y po.type X Nte"tD$aascriptNY po.async X trueY po.src XNhttps1DDapis.google.comD$sDplusone.$sZ=E9YY ar s Xdocument.get-lements3y%agame(NscriptN)T=UY s.parentode.insert3efore(po, s)Y [)()Y function(d,s,id)War $s,f$sXd.get-lements3y%agame(s)T=UYif(d.get-lement3yId(id))W$sXd.create-lement(s)Y$s.idXidY$s.srcX\DDplatform.twitter.comDwidgets.$s\Yf$s.parentode.insert3efore($s,f$s)Y[[(document,\script\,\twitter'w$s\)Y In -pisode /::, *2ay 3eyond aturopathicMedicine*, I interiew my personal physician, 5r. %odd Schlapfer, from Coeur 5! Alene, Idaho,and also mention 5r. %odd in my Crash Course


15/15

T...U know this if you read my article *A Crash Course

a crash course on finding out what is happening inside your body

Documents