The Lab Report

It seems intuitive that being outside in nature is therapeutic and beneficial to our health. What many might find surprising is the amount of clinical evidence supporting nature therapy and the specific physiologic changes that result. ‘Grounding’ and ‘earthing’ are terms that are commonly used these days but even those words under-represent the fascinating biochemical and physiologic effects of nature.

In today’s episode, we dive into the different facets of nature therapy, literature to support it, and how being outside can improve health– and hey, its Spring! Perfect timing!

Today on The Lab Report:

• 2:30 Intro to Nature Therapy
• 4:30 Let’s Define Some Terms!
• 6:00 “Forest bathing” and urban green space therapy
• 10:35 House plants and flowers
• 15:40 Wooden material therapy
• 16:30 Grounding and earthing – take off your shoes!
• 19:20 Question of the Day?
  • Which Genova tests might apply to Nature Therapy?

Additional Resources:

Adrenocortex Stress Profile

NutrEval

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Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected].

And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.

Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The history of herbal medicine dates back thousands of years. Many of us don’t realize that our current conventional medications come from plants. Greg Monzel is an herbalist who has dedicated his life to keeping the rich history and traditions of plant medicine alive and relevant. In today’s episode, we called on him to help us unravel the mystery of St. John’s Wort.

St. John’s Wort is a very commonly used supplement as it relates to mood disorders. But why? How does it work? Where does it grow and how do we identify it?  Listen as we answer all these questions and more.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 6:20 OMG! Greg Monzel is our favorite herbalist
• 9:55 The basics of St. John’s Wort
• 11:45 Are there medications growing in your yard?
• 14:45 What does St. John’s Wort look like?
• 17:05 Whole plant vs. constituents
• 19:25 John’s Wort – It’s not just for mood!
• 23:40 Medication interference and toxicity
• 27:15 Which constituent of St. John’s Wort is best?
• 31:45 The Fireball
• 33:40 What’s in a Name?  

Additional Resources:

Greg's website - wildpersimmonwellness.com

Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected].

And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.

Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Kien Vuu is a physician, author, and speaker who is on a mission to empower us all to take control of our own health. His personal journey is profound and inspiring. As a young immigrant to the United States, he faced immense challenges which he overcame to become a successful doctor. Then, after developing several chronic diseases, he changed his life and found his way to health and gratitude. Dr. Vuu envisions a world where each of us fully contribute our gifts to humanity with vibrant health and vitality.

In today’s episode, we hear the incredible story of Dr. Kien Vuu and he lays out his blueprint on how to live in a Thrive State.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:10 Hear the incredible journey of Dr. Kien Vuu
• 9:30 From chronic disease to health
• 12:30 Chronic disease as a gift
• 15:35 The Live Again Project
• 18:35 Diet Eating styles, bioenergetics, and The Thrive State
• 25:15 Impact of the pandemic on health and thriving
• 28:35 The Fireball

Additional Resources:

KienVuu.com

Thrive State

thriveto105.com

Live Again project

The Unconventional Prescription: YOU are your Best Medicine

Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected].

And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.

Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Historically, the field of psychiatry has mainly focused on prescriptive medications and psychotherapy. Though these modalities have saved lives and stabilized many patients, there are often modifiable, underlying root causes to consider. Shae Leonard, PA is a functional medicine physician’s assistant who has spent years changing people’s lives with her functional approach to mood disorders.

Today, we talk to Shae Leonard about the effects of nutrition, gut health, hormones, genetics, and movement on mental health.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 4:35 Get to know Shae and her journey to functional psychiatry
• 8:00 The gut and other factors as root causes of mood disorders
• 12:00 Nutrients to optimize mental health
• 14:15 Using functional medicine testing
• 15:10 Genetics and epigenetics in mental health
• 18:20 HPA Axis, stress, sleep, and mood resiliency  
• 24:45 The Fireball

Additional Resources:

Shae's Website

NutrEval

Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected].

And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.

Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interpreting functional medicine laboratory testing can be intimidating. Dr. Dan Kalish has devoted his career to teaching new functional medicine clinicians how to interpret lab results and where to start when implementing results in practice. His teaching program, The Kalish Institute, mentors and empowers practitioners within a community approach offering many online programs, videos, blogs, and personalized support.

In today’s episode, we talk to Dr. Kalish about the importance of nutritional testing, his approach to the NutrEval, and translating results.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 2:45 Meet Dr. Kalish!
• 3:55 The importance of nutritional lab testing
• 6:35 Where to start when using NutrEval results in practice
• 8:20 Functional vs. conventional labs
• 11:00 Translating to patients and prioritizing treatment strategies
• 18:30 Teaching the NutrEval and common pitfalls
• 22:00 Lifestyle factors in functional medicine
• 24:50 The Kalish Institute
• 27:20 The Fireball

Additional Resources:

Kalish Institute

NutrEval

Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected].

And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.

Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Genova’s nutritional profiles are breaking new ground. The NutrEval, and its subpanels, have been redesigned and reimagined to offer even greater clinical utility! Our nutritional profiles help practitioners identify root causes of dysfunction and treat clinical imbalances that are inhibiting optimal health. These advanced diagnostic tools provide a systems-based approach for clinicians to help their patients overcome chronic conditions and live a healthier life.

On today’s episode, we discuss the new features of the upgraded NutrEval report and give some clinical insight into the new biomarkers and functional pillar scoring system.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 2:00 – Welcome to the brand new NutrEval
• 3:14 – Nutrition & Functional Imbalances
• 4:23 – The 5 Functional Pillars
• 6:04 – Nutritional Needs Assessed on the NutrEval
• 7:39 – Pathways, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Oxidative Stress
• 9:16 – The Organic Acids
• 11:29 – Better Know The New Biomarkers
• 13:07 – Google It: Is Corn a Vegetable?
• 14:32 – alpha-hydroxybutyric acid & oxalates
• 17:02 – Organic acid categories
• 19:24 – The Amino Acids
• 21:14 – The Fatty Acids
• 23:08 – Nutrient & Toxic Elements
• 24:07 – Question of the Day: Updates to other Nutritional Profiles?

Additional Resources:

Nutrition - Redesigned, Reimagined

Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected].

And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.

Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Patrick Hanaway is a key thought leader and educator in functional medicine. After decades of work, his contribution and influence in our field continues to this day. His task force leadership at IFM during the pandemic helped to shape the functional medicine approach to COVID-19.  Also, as prior Chief Medical Officer for Genova Diagnostics, he helped to create the NutrEval Profile as we currently know it.

In today’s episode, we discuss what we’ve learned over the past year regarding COVID-19, and the how functional medicine approach can improve outcomes. We also get his take on the new NutrEval and how to use it in practice.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 2:45 Welcome back Dr. Hanaway!
• 4:25 What have we learned about COVID-19?
• 12:45 Nutrient supplements during the pandemic
• 18:41 Functional approach to SARS-CoV-2
• 20:45 The NutrEval in practice
• 30:00 Can we get all we need from a balanced diet?
• 36:30 Systems-based interventions in chronic disease
• 42:40 Relationships and connection while in lock-down
• 49:30 The Fireball

Additional Resources:

IFM COVID Resources

Dr. Hanaway's Website: Family to Family

NutrEval

Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected].

And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.

Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oxalates are organic acids that can be made in the body, but they are also found in various foods. Many people associate oxalates with a risk for kidney stones. There are many claims about the dangers of oxalates and the need to avoid high oxalate foods. But, are these claims valid? Should we be afraid of oxalates? Why should we measure them and what do they mean?

In today’s episode, we dive into the biochemical glyoxylate pathway. We also explain how the body makes and metabolizes oxalates, the role of the gut microbiome, and how to interpret oxalate levels.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 4:15 The Glyoxylate Pathway - what is an oxalate?
• 6:35 Glyoxylate is the hub!
• 8:50 Two off-shoots of glyoxylate: oxalic acid and glycolic acid
• 9:50 Oxalic acid – kidney stones and beyond
• 14:07 Logical Speculation: Oxalic Acid and Metabolic Syndrome – cause vs. effect
• 16:50 Glycolic acid, glutathione, and oxidative stress
• 19:30 Glyceric acid
• 21:00 Question of the Day
  • What is systemic oxalosis and should we be worried about it?

Additional Resources:

Glyoxylate Pathway Chart

Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected].

And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.

Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Filomena Trindade has been practicing and lecturing about functional medicine for over 25 years. She has been a leading expert in diabesity and metabolic medicine. Additionally, Dr. Trindade’s mentorship programs and teaching style have been transformative for many clinicians new to this field.

We often find in functional medicine, that inadequate nutrition can be the root cause of chronic medical conditions. And, during the global pandemic, this becomes vitally important as patients and clinicians are looking to optimize immunity.

In today’s episode, we talk all things nutrition and discuss the role of specific nutrients in immunity and optimal health. We also discuss the role of mentorship in practice implementation.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 2:40 Azores and archipelagos
• 3:35 Welcome back Dr. Filomena Trindade!
• 6:15 Optimizing immunity, nutrition, and COVID
• 12:20 Supplements, food sources, and root causes
• 15:05 Carbs and CGM
• 17:30 Saturated fat, cooking oils, and eating farm-to-table
• 22:40 Ketosis, fasting, and metabolic flexibility
• 24:30 The importance of mentorship
• 30:40 The Fireball

Additional Resources:

Dr. Trindade’s website

NutrEval

Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected].

And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.

Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are free radicals and oxidative stress? How do free radicals impact the health and wellness of our patients? Why should clinicians analyze and measure a patient’s free radicals and oxidative stress levels? What can this information tell us about our patient’s overall health and their risk of developing a chronic disease?

Today, we simplify the complex topic of free radicals and their connection to oxidative stress. We discuss the benefits and drawbacks of free radicals in your body and how antioxidants can help you decrease them while eliminating oxidative stress levels. We discuss what commonly causes free radicals to develop in your body and where we can find the best sources of antioxidants. We also discuss the connection between chronic diseases and high levels of free radicals as well as the correlation between extreme exercise and significant weight loss to increased levels of oxidative stress.

“When we talk about oxidative stress, it’s really when the damage outweighs your ability to counter it with antioxidants.” - Patti Devers

This week on The Lab Report Podcast:

• Understanding what ‘free radicals’ are and their connection to oxidative stress
• The pros and cons of free radicals
• How antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress
• The main sources of antioxidants
• The primary causes of free radicals in your body
• The connection between certain chronic diseases and high levels of oxidative stress
• How to measure oxidative stress
• What SOD’s and glutathione do within the body
• Debunking the misconception around ‘burning through your glutathione’
• Taking glutathione supplements and what to consider before starting a glutathione supplement
• How excessive exercise and significant weight loss can elevate your oxidative stress levels
• The correlation between glutathione levels and pyroglutamic acid

Question of the Day:

• When trying to assess heavy metals in a patient, is it better to use a urine test or a blood test?

Subscribe, Rate & Review The Lab Report

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts, Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe to the show and give us a rating and review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most pressing questions on functional medicine.

And be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.

Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

For medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment, please consult a medical professional.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.