As we enter the summer season, many of us will spend countless hours outdoors. We often discuss tick awareness and tick-borne illness, but one tick in particular is getting a lot of press these days. In case you needed another reason to be mindful of ticks, today we discuss Alpha-gal Syndrome.

In today’s episode we explore the science behind alpha-gal syndrome – a rare and serious allergy to red meat and other mammal products triggered by a bite from the Lone Star Tick. Tune in to learn how to recognize symptoms and why this syndrome is spreading across many regions and many countries.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:30 What is Alpha-gal Syndrome?
• 6:30 Delayed anaphylaxis? What!
• 9:50 Epidemiology and prevalence
• 11:50 Not only red meat – other products
• 14:55 Diagnosing alpha-gal syndrome
• 16:20 Tick avoidance and sensitization
• 18:40 What foods can these patients eat?
• 20: 15 Question of the Day?
  • Are there herbs that can help?

Additional Resources:

Alpha-gal Information

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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.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

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.

Tinnitus—the phantom ringing, buzzing, or hissing that affects millions. For those patients who suffer with this debilitating condition, it is frustrating to find any relief. For those clinicians trying to treat it, the causes are so multi-faceted, and the treatments seem to be lacking.  

Today we break down the physiology of hearing, what can go wrong in the auditory system, and the many potential causes of tinnitus, from noise exposure to neurological conditions. We also examine current treatment options, emerging therapies, and what the latest research says about finding relief. Whether you're a sufferer or just curious, this episode tunes into the facts behind the noise. 

Today on The Lab Report:  

• 5:00 Tinnitus – what is it? 

• 7:00 Physiology of hearing sound  

• 10:30 Basic causes of tinnitus 

• 13:45 Pathophysiology & mechanisms 

• 17:45 Loud noise causing tinnitus 

• 22:35 Presbycusis, ototoxicity, hearing loss   

• 25:05 Root causes and treatment of tinnitus  

• 28:00 Functional approach for clinicians 

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.  

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.  

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. Laura James is a board-certified naturopathic oncologist who has been working with cancer patients for over 20 years. She helps patients who are recently diagnosed with cancer get through the intense steps of conventional treatment – surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation – using natural means like nutrition, herbs, gentle movement, and stress management.

In today’s episode, we hear Dr. Laura James discuss her balanced viewpoint on the use of natural therapies in combination with conventional treatment to support cancer patients. Through supplement streamlining, nutritional and botanical recommendations, and lifestyle counseling, her expertise can help you feel better through treatment and beyond.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 4:00 Meet Dr. Laura James and hear how she defines integrative cancer care
• 9:25 Diet and nutrition – keto, fasting, low carb, protein
• 14:00 Working alongside conventional oncologists
• 19:20 Building a care team
• 24:00 Supporting the chemotherapy journey
• 27:50 Antioxidants, probiotics, and chemo
• 32:45 Resilience and the mental emotional rollercoaster
• 37:40 “Battle language” and vulnerability in cancer
• 43:50 Preventative care
• 51:30 Where to find Dr. Laura James?
• 53:55 The Fireball

Additional Resources:

LauraJamesND.com

Best for Breast Supplements

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.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

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.

Are ORAC scores the secret to superfoods—or just marketing fluff? In this episode, we break down what ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) really measures and why it stirred up so much controversy. The USDA pulled the plug on publishing the data, but does the concept still hold any value in nutrition science today?

In today’s episode, we dive into a myth-busting conversation that explores the science of ORAC, the skepticism, and the truths about antioxidants and health.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 5:15 Review of oxidative stress and antioxidants
• 8:20 History of the ORAC assay
• 11:45 Limitations of the ORAC measurement
• 13:20 USDA vs. Supplement companies
• 15:30 Foods with high ORAC scores
• 18:55 Should we still care? What’s the future?

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.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

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.

Inflammation is your body’s way of protecting itself from infection, injury, or other insults. Chemical signaling molecules called ‘eicosanoids’ are responsible for creating pain, heat, swelling, and redness. Eicosanoids are made from fatty acids, or dietary fats. We’ve all heard of fish oil and omega-3s being important when it comes to lowering inflammation. But why?

In today’s episode, we break down the inflammatory cascade, explain how fatty acids are involved, and we answer the question ‘What in the world is an eicosanoid!?’

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:20 What are eicosanoids?
• 6:05 Fatty acids and the inflammatory cascade
• 9:10 Lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX)
• 10:00 The COX eicosanoids – prostanoids and thromboxane 
• 12:10 Leukotrienes, lipoxins, resolvins, and LOX
• 13:15 Aspirin, fish oil, and heart disease
• 16:30 Question of the Day
  • How should we measure fatty acids?

Additional Resources:

NutrEval

Essential & Metabolic Fatty Acids - Bloodspot

The omega-3 index as a risk factor for coronary heart disease

 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.

If you are worried about keeping your bones strong, there’s more to the story than taking calcium supplements. Vitamin D and vitamin K work together to support strong, healthy bones. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium from food, which is essential for building and maintaining bone density. But without enough vitamin K—particularly vitamin K2—that calcium might not end up where it's needed. Vitamin K2 activates proteins that help direct calcium into bones and teeth while keeping it out of soft tissues like arteries. In other words, vitamin D gets the calcium in, and vitamin K makes sure it goes to the right place.

In today’s episode, we discuss the important relationship between vitamin D and vitamin K. These 2 fat-soluble vitamins collaborate to support bone density – there’s more to bone health than calcium!

Today on The Lab Report:

• 4:15 Fat-soluble vitamins
• 6:00 Vitamin D recap
• 9:35 Bone remodeling
• 12:05 All about Vitamin K
• 15:50 Calcium isn’t the whole story
• 18:25 D3/K2 and cardiovascular health
• 20:15 Other factors that contribute to bone health
• 22:40 Question of the Day
  • Do problems with fat digestion cause vitamin deficiency?

Additional Resources:

Genova Connect

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.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

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.

Zombie cells, scientifically known as senescent cells, are damaged or aged cells that refuse to die when they should. Instead, they linger in the body, releasing harmful chemicals that can trigger inflammation and accelerate aging. These cells have been linked to a range of age-related diseases, including arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer.

Dive into the eerie world of 'Zombie Cells' on our latest episode! Uncover how these undead cells wreak havoc in our bodies and what cutting-edge research reveals about their role in aging and disease.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 4:15 Cell turnover, apoptosis, and autophagy vs. zombie cells 
• 7:30 What triggers zombie cells to form and what are telomeres?
• 10:15 Age-related diseases and inflammation
• 12:15 Senolytics and strategies to clear zombie cells
• 17:30 Just practice naturopathic medicine
• 18:30 Rules to survive a zombie apocalypse

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.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

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.

Such a random topic – gray hair? The technical term for hair graying is canities – again, what a strange word. Who knew? The basic physiology of hair growth and coloration is not something we really think about, but your hair can be a reflection of underlying health or disease. We often talk about the aging process as a marker of oxidative stress -So too with your hair.

In this episode, we dive into the science of graying hair. From melanin loss to genetics to some surprising lifestyle connections, we separate fact from fiction and uncover the truth about your hair.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:40 Canities, melanin and hair color
• 7:25 Melanin in hair vs. skin, hair growth stages  
• 12:15 Aging and premature graying, oxidative stress
• 16:25 Nutrition, hormonal influences, inflammation, stress
• 18:20 Re-pigmentation???  Or at least delay graying
• 23:10 Question of the Day
  • How can Genova’s testing help?

Additional Resources:

Genova Connect

NutrEval

Metabolomix+

Endo+

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.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

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.

Hiccups- that annoying and at times, painful reflex that sneaks up on you when you least expect it, and sometimes refuses to leave. But what are they really? Is there an evolutionary reason we’ve developed this reflex? When should you be concerned? Can we prevent them?

In this episode, we break down the pathophysiology of hiccups (yes, there’s real science behind it) Knowing the science of why they occur, we can separate fact from fiction on how to cure them. From medical insights to strange home remedies, we’re getting to the root of the world’s most inconvenient reflex. 

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:45 Hiccups – the diaphragm and phrenic nerve
• 6:30 Pathophysiology of the hiccup and evolution of this reflex
• 9:30 Diet and lifestyle hiccup triggers
• 11:00 The rhythmic reflex arc
• 13:40 When should you be concerned?
• 15:50 Common cures – fact vs. fiction
• 21:25 Traditional Chinese Medicine and Charles Osborne
• 23:09 Take-aways for functional medicine practitioners

Additional Resources:

Genova Connect

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.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

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.

Akkermansia muciniphila has been getting tons of great press recently. It’s a bacterium in the gut microbiome that thrives by supporting mucin production. However, its potential to enhance metabolic health and support weight management has paved the way for innovative probiotic solutions – which is exactly what a company called Pendulum has done! Pendulum’s products are backed by cutting-edge research showing clinical efficacy.

Today we speak with Christina O’Connor, registered dietician and Senior Healthcare Account Manager at Pendulum Therapeutics. Christina breaks down all the latest research on Akkermansia muciniphila and how optimizing levels can lead to greater health outcomes.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 5:30 Christina O’Connor on her love of microbiome science  
• 8:40 Main drivers of gut health
• 10:15 Why should we care about Akkermansia?
• 13:05 Can you have too much?
• 15:20 GLP-1 effects of Akkermansia
• 17:25 Stool testing on probiotics and supporting colonization
• 22:40 What’s next for Pendulum?
• 24:15 The Fireball

Additional Resources:

Pendulum Discount Codes:

Healthcare professionals: Create a provider account HERE for wholesale pricing and get $50 off with code WSGENOVA50.

Not a healthcare professional or just want to try it out? Get 20% off your first membership order at pendulumlife.com with code GENOVA at checkout.

Genova Connect Discount Code:

Are you a consumer interested in checking your levels of Akkermansia? Use the promo code PENDULUM20 for 20% off Genova Diagnostics’ Akkermansia Assessment

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.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

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.