What are some key lab tests I should have done and what do they mean?

While there isn’t enough space to write about all the blood biomarkers we recommend, here are a few key ones everyone should have and keep an eye on over time:

• hsCRP - High sensitivity C reactive protein is a marker of cardiovascular health, independent of cholesterol levels. Ideal levels are below 1.0.

• Apo B - Apolipoprotein B is attached to all forms of cholesterol that can cause damage to the artery walls, leading to heart disease and stroke. This number should be minimized and can be treated to as low as 35-40 mg/dL without untoward side effects.

• AST and ALT - These are commonly reported liver function tests. When elevated above 25-30 units/L, they can indicate some degree of liver damage. ALT is more specific for liver fat, often resulting from less than ideal metabolic health.

• HDL - HDL is often considered ‘good cholesterol’ but it’s far more than that. HDL is responsible for reverse cholesterol transport, by pulling cholesterol out of the circulation and disposing of it back in the liver. Think of it as ‘taking out the garbage.’ While higher than normal HDL levels are often associated with less risk of heart disease, extremely high levels of HDL are not healthy. HDL optimization often follows insulin resistance: The higher the insulin resistance, the lower the HDL and vice versa.