Our genetic makeup is the very foundation of what we are. From conception to death, our genes play a major role in determining our physical, mental, and even emotional attributes. Genes also determine how strong or susceptible we are to many conditions and diseases. There are also genes that change over time, and one of these genetic variations is called single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs.

What are SNPs and how do they affect a person’s health?

Today, we discuss what SNPs are and their importance in genetic health. We describe some of the common SNPs, like MTHFR, and explain how someone with SNPs can compensate for their health with regards to nutrient deficiencies. We discuss how practitioners can narrow down the SNPs that need immediate attention. We also share the reason why we avoid using the word “mutation” when describing SNPs.

“If there's a metabolic backup in a pathway, that can affect your biochemistry.” - Michael Chapman

This week on The Lab Report Podcast:

• What SNPs are and how important they are in the study of genetics.
• Why we don't refer to SNP changes as mutations.
• Relating epigenetics to SNPs and factors that contribute to genetic alterations.
• How common it is to have an MTHFR SNP.
• Diet and nutrient compensation for those who have SNPs.
• Narrowing the SNPs that need evaluation.
• Different kinds of SNPs we're going to discuss in the future.

Question of the Day:

• "What does being heterozygous or homozygous mean for SNPs?"

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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.

Dr. Julie Greenberg is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and founder of the Center for Integrative Dermatology, a practice that offers holistic natural medicine for dermatological conditions. She advocates the idea of treating skin problems by treating the root causes through evidence-based alternative treatments. Julie also practices functional medicine, writes peer-reviewed dermatology articles, and is an expert herbalist.

Julie joins us to discuss how she approaches skin health in a holistic manner. She explains how our gut health affects our risks for skin disease and how we can improve it through diet. She shares her thoughts on Leaky Gut and how it relates to what she calls “Leaky Skin.” She also explains the effects of sugar consumption on acne and why she does not agree with drinking milk if you’re no longer a child.

“All health begins in the gut.” - Dr. Julie Greenberg

This week on The Lab Report Podcast:

• Potential root causes of many skin conditions and diseases.
• Why we don't consider a naturopathic approach in dermatology.
• The first place to start when looking for the cause of a disease.
• Common bacteria found in dysfunctional gut systems.
• Julie’s thoughts on Leaky Gut and how it relates to skin health.
• What "Leaky Skin" is and how it happens in children.
• Supplements and nutrients Dr. Julie recommends to correct skin health dysfunction.
• Julie’s thoughts on dairy and why she discourages milk consumption in adulthood.
• Sugar consumption, acne, and indigenous populations.
• What you can expect from her LearnSkin courses.

Connect with Dr. Julie Greenberg: 

• The Center For Integrative Dermatology
• LearnSkin
• Phone: (424) 422-1200

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.

Dr. Dom D’Agostino is a research scientist and Associate Professor of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. He owns KETONUTRITION, a platform where he shares his recent findings regarding our health and nutritional intake, with a special focus on the ketogenic diet. Dom teaches students at USF on topics such as neuropharmacology, medical biochemistry, and neuroscience. He is often asked to participate in experiments conducted by NASA and the U.S. military.

Dom joins us today to discuss how ketosis was used as clinical treatment, how it is used today, and how ketosis affects our brain. He shares where he found his passion for neuroscience and when he took part in a project by NASA. He describes how exogenous ketones work and how keto enthusiasts can use them. Dom also explains what cancer is, from a metabolic and genetic viewpoint, and why mitochondrial health can determine cancer risk.

“The ketogenic diet reduces the production of reactive oxygen species overall.” - Dr. Dom D’Agostino

This week on The Lab Report Podcast:

• Dom's work with NASA and NEEMO 22.
• Why Dom focused on neuroscience as a specialty.
• The technologies he developed for the military.
• Dom's thoughts on ketosis and its effects on neurological disorders.
• The difference between clinical and mainstream ketogenic diet.
• What hepatic ketogenesis is and where it is used.
• How you can incorporate exogenous ketones in your ketogenic diet.
• Primary causes of cancer and how they affect the mitochondria.
• How Dom defines cancer based on mitochondrial damage.

Connect with Dr. Dom D’Agostino: 

• KETONUTRITION

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.

Dr. Deanna Minich is a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, author, and speaker. Since 2013, she has served on the Institute of Functional Medicine’s Nutrition Advisory Board. She authored the book The Rainbow Diet, a holistic lifestyle system where the focus is not just on what to eat, but also what nourishes the body, mind, and spirit. Deanna also has over 20 years of experience working in the food and dietary supplement industries before going solo.

Deanna joins us to share what her Rainbow Diet is all about and how she came up with this system of eating and living. She discusses the programs she offers on her website and what people can expect from them. She explains how the Rainbow Diet promotes holistic health that incorporates meditation and oneness with nature. She shares her thoughts on the MTHFR gene and how some practitioners are using it as a cure-all. Deanna also describes how practitioners should introduce supplements to their patients.

“The more we can become informed, the better our decisions will be about our health.” - Dr. Deanna Minich

This week on The Lab Report Podcast:

• Who Deanna is, her career milestones, and what she does today.
• Why Deanna says color is medicine and the science behind it.
• How nutrition can impact our genes and how it is relevant to genetic testing.
• Recent findings in genomics.
• Deanna's thoughts on the MTHFR connection with common diseases.
• Reshaping our health mindset because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• What audiences can expect from her future seminars and events.
• How people can integrate meditation into their daily lives.
• How she adopted the ‘science of prayer’ into her lifestyle.
• The best way to advocate for supplementation.

Connect with Dr. Deanna Minich:

• Official Website
• Book: The Rainbow Diet, The Whole Detox
• Instagram

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.

Dr. Terry Wahls is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and known for The Wahls Protocol. The Wahls Protocol is an eating guide she initially developed to help her body heal from multiple sclerosis but has since used to treat patients with similar disorders and other autoimmune diseases. Terry has since pursued a career in helping patients transform their bodies into the efficient metabolic machines they were meant to be.

Terry joins us to share what The Wahls Protocol is about and how she developed it. She describes the struggles she faced with multiple sclerosis, the medications and treatments she used, and what made her ultimately take her health into her own hands. She discusses how the paleo diet and lifestyle played a huge role in her protocol and how it relates to our DNA. Terry also shares how she incorporates fasting and meditation into her everyday life.

“The reason we have so much chronic disease is that our diet and behaviors are all pointed so far away from how our DNA evolved over millions of years.” - Terry Wahls

This week on The Lab Report Podcast:

• How Terry recovered from a disease through The Wahls Protocol.
• What led Terry to have a career in functional medicine?
• How the protocol works and how it helped her recover from multiple sclerosis.
• Why our lifestyle is far from what our DNA intended for us.
• The latest focus of their team's research.
• Conducting studies and treatments through telemedicine.
• What readers can expect from the re-release of The Wahls Protocol.
• How she applies fasting in her daily life and how it relates to stem cells and youthfulness.

Connect with Dr. Terry Wahls:

• Official website
• Health Behaviors Flyer
• Facebook
• Twitter

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.

Rachel Gregory is a Board Certified Nutritionist, a health and wellness specialist, author, and the owner of Killin it Keto, a platform that provides educational content as well as coaching services in achieving optimal health. She champions the ketogenic lifestyle, but also advocates for a more tailored approach as opposed to a cookie-cutter method for her clients. Rachel is also the author of the 21-Day Ketogenic Diet Weight Loss Challenge book, a weight loss guide that follows the ketogenic lifestyle with recipes and exercise programs.

Rachel joins us to share what it means to be metabolically flexible and how it relates to the ketogenic diet. She describes how she became passionate about training and nutrition. She explains how to make the ketogenic diet work for you and why it’s normal for a woman to struggle with the diet. Rachel also discusses the importance of accountability as well as addressing other points that affect your overall wellness, such as sleep.

“Ketosis is not a fad; it is a metabolic state.” - Rachel Gregory

This week on The Lab Report Podcast:

• Who Rachel Gregory is, what she does, and her thoughts on the ketogenic diet.
• The reason Rachel became fascinated with pursuing a degree in athletic training.
• Why Rachel decided to switch to a nutrition-focused education.
• Common misconceptions about the ketogenic diet and ketosis.
• Why women struggle more with ketosis and the ketogenic diet.
• Tailoring the ketogenic diet according to a person's profession and lifestyle.
• Adjustments to make in the ketogenic diet once you reached a certain weight.
• The importance of having someone hold you accountable for your diet.
• Developing ‘carb phobia’ in light of the ketogenic trend.
• Her thoughts on Crossfit and strength training.
• Addressing sympathetic and parasympathetic balance.
• Sleep, recovery, stress, and other factors affecting wellness.

Connect with Rachel Gregory:

• Killin it Keto
• Instagram
• MetFlex and Chill podcast
• Book: 21-Day Ketogenic Diet Weight Loss Challenge

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.

Vivek Menon is the Chief Customer Officer at Elite HRV, an app that provides accurate heart rate variability data and insights to stress and recovery. Their team believes heart rate variability is a powerful tool that can help individuals achieve their fitness and health goals. As Chief Commercial Officer, Vivek is in charge of consumer and provider engagement and making sure their needs are met with the purpose of accomplishing their wellbeing transformations.

Vivek joins us to discuss how Heart Rate Variability (HRV) can help determine stress and recovery levels as well as mental health. He describes how their app works, its accuracy, and how it can interpret HRV data. He explains the science behind HRV and how it relates with the body’s nervous system. Vivek also shares the different goals their tools can be used for, especially for those who are getting started on their fitness journey.

“Heart Rate Variability, at its core, is just an insightful biomarker.” - Vivek Menon

This week on The Lab Report Podcast:

• What is Heart Rate Variability, what it means, and why people should care.
• How our nervous system affects how we react and how we respond to everyday activity.
• What their app does and how it interprets heart rate data.
• How you can train the autonomic nervous system through heart rate variability.
• Determining whether your heart rate variability is good or bad.
• Training the vagus nerve using heart rate variability data.
• The physiological reason why deep breathing works for health and wellbeing.
• How athletes can take advantage of heart rate variability.

Connect with Vivek Menon: 

• Elite HRV
• Elite HRV Podcast

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.

No one likes to feel stressed, but stressors are everywhere. From work and your colleagues to the current problem with the pandemic and the news about it, it’s almost impossible to not be stressed right now. This is where the danger lies. Once stress becomes “normal,” it becomes a problem that goes beyond mental and affects us from a physiological viewpoint.

What happens when you’re always stressed out? What tests should you look into if you feel stressed all the time? Are there any supplements you can take for stress?

Today, we discuss HPA Axis Dysfunction, what it is, and how to test for it. We explain how stress happens, what cortisol does, and the various physiological processes involved in feeling stressed. We describe the difference between adrenal fatigue and HPA Axis Dysfunction. We also share the reasons why people are more likely to take supplements for stress rather than addressing the source.

“To have to stop and actually address your stressors and reconnect is difficult for people, so it's easier for them to ask for supplements.” - Patti Devers

This week on The Lab Report Podcast:

• How stress works and the way our brain processes it.
• What our hypothalamus has to do with our stress response.
• Adrenal fatigue and how it relates to cortisol secretion.
• The difference between HPA Axis Dysfunction and Adrenal Fatigue.
• What cortisol does and why it's bad over time.
• What we are looking at when measuring saliva.
• How raising cortisol affects DHEA content.
• What the Cortisol Awakening Response is and what it means clinically.
• Botanicals and herbs that work to lower stress levels.

Question of the Day: 

• What if you're a night-shifter and you need to evaluate your HPA Axis? How do you use the ASP in that case?

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.

Mark Sisson is the Founder and CEO of Primal Kitchen, the New York Times bestselling author of Primal Blueprint, and the man behind the popular Mark’s Daily Apple blog. He is considered one of the pioneers of the Paleo diet and a leading voice in the Evolutionary Health Movement. Recognized as a diet disruptor, Mark challenges traditional ideas on lifestyle, eating habits, and fitness. He has also recently authored The Keto Reset Diet, a unique take on an already popular and somewhat established diet.

Mark joins us to discuss the concept of living a primal life and the various experiences that led him to become who he is today. He explains why traditional eating habits are a root cause of inflammation and disease and what it means to become metabolically flexible. He describes how our ancestors lived and why our genes didn’t evolve to eat and live the way we do today. Mark also shares his thoughts on veganism, grains, and why people are still afraid of eating fat.

“Genes are not destiny; they're just sort of a blueprint.” - Mark Sisson

This week on The Lab Report Podcast:

• Where the general idea of the Primal Blueprint came from.
• Mark's experience and highlights in track and field.
• The health problems he experienced that led him down the path of fitness and biology.
• What "Genetic Switches" are and how they tie to our diet.
• What the Keto Reset Diet is all about.
• Why the body is efficient when it comes to burning fat.
• The way our ancestors ate compared to how we eat today.
• Establishing the minimum effective dose of food.
• What it means to become metabolically flexible.
• Why fecal matter composition is important when it comes to overall health.
• Mark’s thoughts on plant-based diets, the demonization of fat, and grain-based foods.

Connect with Mark Sisson:

• Mark’s Daily Apple
• Primal Blueprint
• Primal Kitchen
• The Keto Reset Diet

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.

Dr. Jimmy Bagley works as an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Director at San Francisco State University’s Muscle Physiology Lab. As a professor, he teaches both undergraduates and graduates Muscle Physiology and Exercise Physiology courses. The bulk of his work revolves around the physical performance of both elite athletes and chronic disease patients, and how exercise benefits their goals. Jimmy also has over 100 scientific articles, book chapters, and abstracts under his name.

Jimmy joins us to discuss the effects of exercise on health, immunity, and longevity. He shares how he found his passion in kinesiology and what made him curious about how the human body responds to exercise. He explains how VR Training helps change our perception of exercise difficulty as well as discusses slow and fast-twitch fibers and their functions. Jimmy also shares his advice for those who feel getting exercise is a chore.

“You don't have to go from couch potato to marathon this year, but you could go from couch potato to 3 walks a day for ten minutes or so.” - Dr. Jimmy Bagley

This week on The Lab Report Podcast:

• What drew Dr. Jimmy Bagley to kinesiology and why he considers exercise as a form of medicine.
• What integrative physiology is and its difference from conventional physiology.
• The role that strength plays in longevity and wellness.
• How our gut microbiome is affected by exercise.
• The effects of VR Gaming regarding a person's health.
• The functions of our fast and slow-twitch muscle fibers.
• Jimmy's advice to people who find exercise difficult.

Connect with Dr. Jimmy Bagley:

• Muscle Physiology Lab

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.