Bloodwork: And the nutritional implications that go along with it

Bloodwork. Something that everybody should have done as needed to ensure that their vital organs are working as they should. Having bloodwork done can give medical providers a better picture of overall health & wellness, better diagnose disease, monitor chronic conditions more closely, and have more insight on the overall prognosis of that individual. Having regular bloodwork done is one of the most important ways for individuals to keep track of their physical well-being.

Laboratory studies can be extremely helpful in assessing ones overall nutritional status, identifying nutritional deficiencies, and serving as supporting evidence in making a medical diagnosis. Evaluating nutritional markers can be used as a tool when aiming to make diet/lifestyle changes to improve overall health & wellness.

The effect that diet and nutritional status has on the results of laboratory tests can be acute or chronic. For example, one might notice a temporary blood sugar spike (acute effect) after eating a single piece of chocolate cheesecake. On the other hand, an individual that chooses to eat chocolate cheesecake all day, every day may have long-lasting (chronic) effects on blood sugar due to a decline in the functionality of the pancreas. Understanding the direct impact that nutritional status has on laboratory studies/overall health & wellness is imperative when aiming to live a healthier lifestyle. The problem? Lack of understanding when it comes to the nutritional implications behind the results of bloodwork…and not knowing what to do to help get those result back to being ‘within normal limits’.

Shown below are just a few common laboratory studies that are conducted on a routine basis/the nutritional implications behind that specific result, paired with some tips that YOU can follow when aiming to get that magical number back to where it ‘should’ be.

Nutritional Implications Behind Some Common Laboratory Studies

BMP | Basic Metabolic Panel: measures how well your kidneys are working, endocrine function and risk levels for pre-diabetes/diabetes, fluid balance, and calcium for bone health. Shown below are some of the nutritional implications behind each specific result, and ways to improve this value through nutrition/lifestyle.

Glucose: a fancier way of saying sugar. It is your body's main source of energy as studies suggest that roughly 60% of your daily energy comes from carbohydrate, alone. This value (along with an A1c level) can be indicative of how the pancreas is functioning within the body, and whether or not an individual needs supplemental insulin from an exogenous source.

Ways to increase blood glucose through diet: consume more carbohydrates (whole grains, bread, oats, beans/legumes, potatoes, fruits, juice, etc).

Ways to decrease blood glucose through diet: practice mindful eating, eat carbohydrates in moderation, and pair carbohydrates with a protein source (this will help with managing blood sugar spikes).

***It is important to continue to eat carbohydrates/glucose (in moderation) rather than cut them out completely (as this can have the opposite effect and result in the liver sending large amounts of glucose into the bloodstream due to the body being in a ‘fasting’ state… or could result in experiencing a ‘low blood sugar’ which can be extremely dangerous). A registered dietitian can assist when it comes to determining how many grams of carbohydrate to eat per meal, as well as per day.

Calcium: All cells within the body need calcium to function. It is essential when it comes to building strong teeth and bones. It is also important when it comes to heart health, blood clotting, and nerve function.

Ways to increase calcium level through diet: food is hands down the best source of calcium. Try consuming more dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and fortified-foods when looking to increase calcium level.

Ways to decrease calcium through diet: limit calcium-rich food & beverages (dairy, leafy green vegetables, fortified foods, etc).

Potassium: an electrolyte that is essential for normal cell function | the main electrolyte in intracellular fluid. Potassium has many nutritional implications when it comes to hydration status, muscle and nerve function, blood sugar, bone health, blood pressure, etc. It is a common marker that is evaluated in patients experiencing renal failure, malnutrition/dehydration, heart failure, etc.

Ways to increase potassium level through diet: Consume more food/beverage sources that are rich in potassium (banana, potato, beans, avocado, prunes, spinach, etc).

Ways to decrease potassium level through diet: Consume less food/beverage sources that are rich in potassium (banana, potato, beans, avocado, prunes, spinach, etc).

Other tests commonly included in a BMP study: Chloride, CO2, BUN, & Creatinine.

There are several other laboratory studies that can be conducted when assessing one’s overall nutritional status. These studies include (but are not limited to) a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Lipid Panel, Urinalysis (UA), and Thyroid test.

In summary, evaluating laboratory studies can be a great tool when assessing one’s overall health and wellness. Understanding the nutritional implications behind each study is also imperative as this can identify focus areas when looking to make improvements to diet/lifestyle, ultimately improving quality of life and longevity.