Your Blood Never Lies

Biological markers can assume a whole new set of meaning and value for both patients and physicians. In this sense, what a person feels as sub-normal can actually be detected in laboratory data as sub-optimal. The power of this book is that it links subjective symptoms to objective data and validates what the patient often already knows, that their health is trending in the wrong direction. The process of teaching patients about how their bodies work, as well as what is considered normal and abnormal, and, more importantly, optimal, is key in leveling the playing field between doctors and patients. Your Blood Never Lies puts power back in the hands of the patient, facilitates his or her understanding of major issues related to health and illness, and provides a reliable, valid framework for treatment decisions. I have known Jim LaValle for a number of years now. He is a brilliant clinician and thought leader who has helped mainstream the notion that health matters as much as illness, that nutrition, lifestyle, and natural products have a rightful place alongside conventional treatments like drugs and surgery, and that there are only two forms of medicine, good and bad. This book reflects his vision for a more humane, interactive, and collegial medical system, and one that is not afraid to place important information in the hands of the public about how the human body works, and what patients can do independently or in collaboration with their doctors. This is an important and timely work that not only makes sense of often confusing and unpredictable symptoms for patients, but also serves as a comprehensive guide to better health. Andrew Heyman, MD, M.H.S.A., Aldi, Virginia PREFACE Today, more and more people are taking an interest in their health and becoming active participants in guiding their health care. Our present health, as well as its future, relies in large part on self-directed care. After all, who is more invested in your health than you? In fact, personalized medicine in the United States is predicted to exceed $300 billion over the next five years. But while an ever-growing number of people are taking up exercises like yoga, Zumba, and CrossFit, as well as incorporating healthier foods into their diet, many individuals still do not understand some core aspects of health, like the blood. A blood test is one of the best methods of self-care available today. Routine blood testing can provide an accurate picture of not only your current health, but also your future. Even if you eat right, exercise, and eliminate bad habits, you may have an underlying medical condition, nutritional deficiency, or hormone imbalance that only a blood test can detect. As the title of this book asserts, your blood never lies. Unfortunately, many patients ignore the blood test results they receive in the mail after their annual physical, particularly if their doctor informs them that everything is normal. The fact of the matter is that normal is not always healthy and certainly not optimal. Historically, blood test results were rarely discussed and recommendations were not made until particular blood values crossed the threshold into the abnormal or out-of-range category. In other words, patients have traditionally been told to change their ways only after a disease, disorder, or some other condition has already developed in their bodies. This book is designed to help change that. Your Blood Never Lies will teach you how to interpret your blood test results and, in some cases, patterns that may indicate whether you are at risk for certain conditions in the future. I believe that lab values should be viewed in a similar way to stock market trends. The model used in the business world is predictive. When asked to report on the financial health of a company, an analyst usually points to no fewer than five or six factors indicative of the direction in which the business is headed. By contrast, even though