Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or heartburn, is incredibly common as is the use of stomach acid suppressing medication. But what if there is far more to the story than stomach acid? There are many other factors to consider in a patient with heartburn. We are going to dive into the physiology of gastric acid, gastric hormonal signaling, and a slew of medications and foods that might be the real culprit. Are PPI’s over prescribed? Are we missing the picture? Tune in to find out.

In today’s episode, we tackle some burning questions about GERD and try to get to the root cause. Are acid suppressing medications always the answer? Perhaps the story is not that simple.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:45 Conventional medicine’s approach to GERD
• 6:30 The roll of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
• 8:15 Stomach acid and gastric hormonal signaling
• 13:20 Foods that affect the LES
• 14:15 PPI’s - controversy and weaning
• 18:00 Prescriptive meds, lifestyle, and the LES
• 19:50 Hiatal hernias
• 21:30 Question of the Day
  • How does hypochlorhydria or PPI use affect Genova testing?

Additional Resources:

Genova Connect **PROMO CODE TheLabReport20 for 20% off your purchase**

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: podcast@gdx.net.

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.

Occasionally, there are new and novel things introduced into the functional medicine and biohacker space that catch our attention. Lately, you might have heard a lot of people talking about the amazing health benefits of “nootropics,” but what are they? Coming from the name of the Greek word Nous (meaning “mind”), nootropics are medicines designed to improve cognitive function and protect the brain. Many of us could use a healthy dose of cognitive support to help us through our busy lives, but what is the truth about nootropics and where can we find them?

In today’s episode, we discuss the what, how, and why of nootropics. We explain what things are considered nootropics and how they work in the body. We also discuss what may be unexpected nootropic things you can do everyday that may not even be termed a nootropic. Listen for more information on how you can help get the most out of your cognition.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:30 There’s a lot of buzz about nootropics
• 4:30 Defining Terms: Nootropics
• 6:30 Michael rants on what is not a nootropic?
• 8:30 How do nootropics work in the body?
• 10:30 Vinpocetine
• 12:55 Huperzine A and brain energy
• 15:00 Astaxanthin - not just for flamingos
• 18:00 Nootropic herbs – aka “adaptogens”
• 22:10 Ginkgo biloba – a powerful nootropic
• 24:15 Are there side effects?

Additional Resources:

Genova Connect **PROMO CODE TheLabReport20 for 20% off your purchase**

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: podcast@gdx.net.

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.

Ok, we know what you’re thinking…. Artichokes? Really? Yes really. It may seem a bit out of left field, but you’d be surprised at the many health benefits from either eating artichokes or taking an extract supplement. As a vegetable, it contains fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Extracts made from artichoke leaves, stems, and roots have been used as nutraceutical agents to support the GI tract, liver, and cardiovascular system. But why?

In this episode, we peel back the layers of the artichoke – a very mysterious plant indeed. Is it possible to boost your health with artichoke leaf extract? Tune in to find out!

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:25 Random artichoke topic – functional food
• 4:30 Jerusalem artichoke globe artichoke
• 6:00 Fruit, vegetable, and flowers - Extract vs. Whole food
• 8:15 Gut and liver health
• 10:35 Milk thistle vs. artichoke
• 12:30 Artichoke extract is antimicrobial
• 14:50 Powerful impact in IBD
• 18:00 Cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, cancer
• 20:00 Artichoke Game Time!!

Additional Resources:

Genova Connect **PROMO CODE TheLabReport20 for 20% off your purchase**

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: podcast@gdx.net.

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.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) has become a hot topic in functional medicine. Mast cells are an integral part of the body’s immune system. They can be found in areas of exposure such as mucosal membranes, the lining of the GI tract, skin, and airways. Mast cells are responsible for storing important chemical mediators like histamine and others which help to instigate allergic responses. Mast cell disorders arise when there are too many mast cells, or they become hyperreactive. That being said, these conditions are often misunderstood, and diagnoses are sometimes misused.

In today’s episode, we focus on the role of mast cells and histamine in the immune response. We discuss the different mast cell activation disorders, how to diagnose them, and what you can do about it.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:05 Mast Cell Activation Diseases
• 5:15 What is a mast cell? Why do we care?
• 7:05 Symptoms of histamine release
• 8:40 Histamine intolerance vs. MCAS
• 11:11 Foods: High Histamine or Low Histamine?
• 14:25 Non-food related histamine associations
• 15:30 Diagnosing and treating MCAS
• 18:00 Question of the Day
  • What Genova profiles can help parse out histamine intolerance v. MCAS?

Additional Resources:

IgE Food Antibodies Profile

IgE Inhalants - Allergy Profile

IgE Mold - Allergy Profile

Methylation Panel

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: podcast@gdx.net.

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, 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.

The gut microbiome harbors trillions of commensal organisms which play a central role in our health. This community is sometimes referred to as our hidden metabolic organ due to its immense impact. Our diet and lifestyle play an important role in feeding the microbiome and keeping the colonies in balance. Should we be concerned if any one bacterial colony overgrows?

Today we discuss the commensal bacteria Desulfovibrio. Since this genus of bacteria can reduce sulfate and make hydrogen sulfide gas, overgrowth can have clinical implications. Listen in for more information on why you should care and what you can do about it.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 2:45 Why Desulfovibrio? Define Some Terms!
  • Commensalism
• 5:20 Desulfovibrio – what does it do? Why that name?
• 7:10 Hydrogen sulfide gas – symptoms and its role
• 9:00 IBD and Desulfovibrio
• 10:00 Can you have DV and be healthy?
• 11:00 Other correlations – neurodegenerative disease, autism, metabolic syndrome, cancer
• 13:45 Pre- and pro-biotics as treatment adjuncts and the Naturopathic Therapeutic Order
• 17:09 Fructo-oligosaccharides and prebiotics to feed the microbiome – it depends
• 19:30 Question of the Day
  • Does the GI Effects measure other sulfur-reducing bacteria?
• 21:15 Evolving research – Desulfovibrio and GLP-1 hormones

Additional Resources:

Genova Connect **PROMO CODE TheLabReport20 for 20% off your purchase**

GI Effects Stool Profile

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: podcast@gdx.net.

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.

There are a lot of terms bantered about in the biohacker and longevity space. With that, you’ve likely heard of mTOR – mechanistic (mammalian) target of rapamycin. But what exactly is it? mTOR is a key regulator in your body’s metabolic and growth processes. It integrates various signals, including nutrients and growth factors, to control processes like protein synthesis, autophagy, and lipid metabolism. Because it regulates growth, dysregulation of mTOR has been implicated in various diseases, including cancer.

In today’s episode, we simplify the science behind mTOR – mechanistic target of rapamycin. This crucial enzyme may be the key to unlocking groundbreaking advancements in wellness, anti-aging, disease prevention, and health optimization.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:00 mTOR – Why are we even covering this topic?
• 4:40 What is it? Muscle growth vs. autophagy
• 6:25 Why is it called mTOR?
• 9:00 Highly conserved and in every cell, every organ
• 10:30 mTORC1 and mTORC2
• 11:25 Influences and sensors – it’s more than leucine
• 14:25 Dysregulation of mTOR – does protein cause cancer?
• 17:30 Should people take rapamycin for longevity?
• 20:20 Question of the Day
  • Where does mTOR work in muscle protein synthesis?

Additional Resources:

Genova Connect **PROMO CODE TheLabReport20 for 20% off your purchase**

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: podcast@gdx.net.

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.

Multi-omics is the layering of genetic information (genomics) with laboratory biomarker results (metabolomics) to understand the root cause of disease and risk. This educational series focuses on genetic variants in specific enzymes and explains how to evaluate the systemic effects.

Today’s episode revolves around the enzyme cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS). This enzyme is important for homocysteine metabolism, sitting at a branch point between two important cycles: methylation and transsulfuration. The action of this enzyme is important for balancing the critical functions of methylation with the creation of glutathione and energy. Listen to understand why this enzyme is important and what a genetic variant in CBS might mean for you and your patients.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 2:20 Reminder of what we mean by multi-omics
• 4:50 Introducing the CBS enzyme and the sink drain metaphor
• 7:40 The genetics of CBS – the silent mutation – and its potential effects
• 12:40 Better Know A Biomarker: Cystathionine!
• 16:20 Activators and inhibitors of CBS and its effects on other biomarkers
• 18:55 Question of the Day:
  • Does a CBS SNP cause elevated ammonia levels?
• 21:40 Evaluating surrounding biomarkers and how do you treat this SNP?

Additional Resources:

Methylation Panel

Genova Connect **PROMO CODE TheLabReport20 for 20% off your purchase**

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: podcast@gdx.net.

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 show 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.

Many of us have heard of glutathione and understand that it is a powerful antioxidant – but why? What is it? How does it work? Understanding the mechanisms of this crucial molecule can help you fully grasp its importance. Oxidative stress and the damage of free radicals underlie the aging process and many chronic conditions. There’s no greater tool to combat oxidative stress than glutathione.

In today’s episode, we break down the science of glutathione and redox reactions. You will learn how glutathione works, how to support optimal levels, and how it connects to the methylation cycle!

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:00 Is there more to Glutathione than you think?
• 4:20 Glutathione as a tripeptide
• 5:40 Redox reactions & the role of glutathione
• 8:30 Rate-limiting steps – cysteine, NAC
• 9:55 Holding!! Maybe it’s glycine
• 12:30 Factors needed for production
• 13:05 Measuring levels – total, reduced, oxidized
• 16:40 Clinical associations
• 18:30 Supplementing to support glutathione
• 22:00 Question of the Day
  • Is glutathione related to methylation?

Additional Resources:

Genova Connect **PROMO CODE** TheLabReport20 for 20% off your purchase

NutrEval

Methylation Panel

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: podcast@gdx.net.

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.