Numerous laboratory values can show not only the composition of your food, but also its metabolic and waste products. This gives insight into the activity of different organs, which participate in metabolism. Your diet plays a very important role and the METABOLIC BALANCE programme will give you detailed instructions, which are made only for you as the nutritionists at the Institute for balanced diet METABOLIC BALANCE in Germany will define which food you can eat on the basis of the laboratory analysis of your blood values.
35 blood values are required for drafting METABOLIC BALANCE diet programme.
To feel healthy, it is very important that each organ in our body functions properly and that they are all completely coordinated. Proper functioning of numerous organs can be detected by laboratory tests and expressed in numbers. A doctor, who wants to find out abnormalities, compares the values with normal ones. Those values are called normal or reference values. Laboratories differ in reference areas. Test methods are not the same everywhere and therefore reference areas may differ. In addition, different units are used for some values. Consequently, it is reasonable to take into account specific normal values of an individual laboratory. The results of the taken blood sample are different for each individual. Changes are caused by the age, diet, biological rhythms, pregnancy or medications.
Blood has a lot of important tasks in our body: it constantly circulates between the lungs, heart and other organs to the thinnest capillaries. In this way, all organs are provided with nutritional
and all other substances that our body needs to live. Blood removes waste substances, created during metabolism to the excretion organs, for example kidneys. Another important task is exchanging of gases: blood transfers the carbon dioxide and takes it to the lungs from where it is exhaled.
In several aspects, the composition of blood is the image of the health condition of our body and its organs.
Blood contains a lot of proteins whose chemical composition is extremely varied. The reason for increased content of total proteins is chronical inflammations or a substantial increase of a certain protein share. The quantity of total proteins can be decreased due to the disruption of kidney functioning, burns, bad diet, or serious tumour illnesses. Enzymes as catalysts regulate the progress of chemical reaction and accelerate it without changing themselves. They participate in all metabolic processes in the body. Each type of tissue or each organ contains characteristic enzymes. This characteristic enzyme pattern is beneficial when disturbances in functioning of an organ have to be explained. When an organ is damaged, enzymes are excreted from the cells and come into blood. Their content can then be measured in serum. The more serious the damage, the higher the concentration of enzymes in the serum. The level and place of damage can be established in this way. Enzyme analysis is important particularly for the following organs or disturbances:
-liver: inflammation, damaged liver cells or disturbed outflow of bile
-heart: damaged heart muscle (myocardial infarction)
-pancreas: inflammation, disturbances in the excretion of its products
-skeletal muscle and bones: damages, tumours, inflammation
-prostate
In addition to proteins and carbohydrates, fats belong to staple food with which the body meets its needs for energy. Except the so-called essential fatty acids that the body has to get from food, intake of fats is not essential as they can be replaced by carbohydrates. The intake of fats depends on the dietary habits and differs from one person to another. The main source of fats (about 90 per cent) are neutral fats or triglycerides. The rest are cholesterol, liposoluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and other fats. Fats in blood are analysed in order to find disturbances in metabolism and also to assess the risks, associated with cardiovascular health (arteriosclerosis or thickening and hardening of the walls of arteries). The following
values are usually established during the test: total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides.
Cells use triglycerides (neutral fats) as fuel for getting energy. The body gets triglycerides from food (meat, meat products, milk, cheese, nuts and plant oils) or it produces them itself from alcohol and carbohydrates. In case of high intake of triglycerides, i.e. by eating fatty food, a part of triglycerides is deposited in fat tissue and liver.
In addition to fats, carbohydrates are the main source of energy in human body. In the intestines, most of them are transformed into glucose, which then goes into blood. Glucose in blood (blood sugar) is the most important carrier of energy, supplying brain and muscles. Hormone insulin, produced in the so-called islands in the pancreas, plays an important role in the metabolism of glucose. Insulin allows the blood sugar to be included in cells and be used there. After a meal, the quantity of sugar in blood increases and the pancreas excretes insulin, which accelerates the transition of the blood sugar from blood to the cells and thus decreases its content. Insulin is therefore responsible for regulating a constant level of sugar in blood.
The Metabolic balance team of doctors takes into account 35 parameters of blood values.
HEMATOLOGIC EXAMINATIONS
LEUKOCYTES
White blood cells or leukocytes play an important role in defence against pathogens and they are found in blood as well as in the tissue of several organs. They are produced in bone marrow and glands and they get ready for their roles in the spleen and thymus. Deviations in the number of leukocytes often indicate inflammations.
LYMPHOCYTES
Lymphocytes are produced mainly in the lymph system organs, mainly spleen and glands. The number of lymphocytes increases mainly in the stage of curing an infectious disease or in case of lymphatic leukaemia.
The reason for a decreased number of lymphocytes is damaged lymph system due to radiotherapy, poisoning and other diseases.
MONOCYTES
Monocytes are typical phagocytes (devouring cells). They are able to digest bacteria and
other pathogens and excrete special substances which travel like couriers in our body and trigger additional immune system activities.
ERYTHROCYTES
Red blood cells or erythrocytes contain blood dye haemoglobin, which binds oxygen and carbon dioxide and transfers them all over the body. They are flat and produced in bone marrow from the so-called stem cells. The production is divided into several development stages. Iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid are important for the production of erythrocytes. In case any of those substances are missing, cells, which cannot be totally functional, are produced.
An increased content of erythrocytes is called polycythemia. When there is not enough oxygen available, for example at high altitudes, the content of erythrocytes increases so that the body is able to get enough oxygen. Polycythemia can occur also in case of chronical lung diseases and heart diseases. In case of substantial loss of liquid (sweating, vomiting or diarrhoea), the proportional share of blood cells in comparison with total blood may increase. The condition can be brought back to normal by increased intake of liquid.
Decreased content of red blood cells is called anaemia. Possible reasons are decreased production or loss or erythrocytes due to bleeding. One of the most common forms of anaemia is lack of iron, and rarely because of the lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid. The reason for the lack of iron is improper diet, disturbances in the absorption of iron in the intestines, increased need for iron and loss of iron due to acute or chronical bleeding.
HAEMOGLOBIN
Protein haemoglobin is the main ingredient of erythrocytes and contains most of the iron in human body. Haemoglobin binds oxygen and carbon dioxide and thus carries out the transport and exchange of gases between the tissues and lungs. In establishing haemoglobin, total Hb and Hb, bound to erythrocytes (HbE or MCH) can be distinguished. These values are particularly important for explaining the reasons for anaemia.
Decreased values of Hb are found mainly in cases of anaemia due to lack of iron.
HAEMATOCRIT
Haematocrit is defined as percentage of all the component parts of cells in the total blood volume. Normal values depend on the age and gender; they are defined mostly by red blood cells. The higher the haematocrit values, the worse the blood circulation.
NEUTROPHILS AND EOSINOPHILS
Pale with colouring with chemical substances, neutrophilic, eosinophilic, and basophilic granulocytes are distinguished. The main function of granulocytes is defence against bacteria, viruses and fungi, and they also have an important function in allergy reactions. Neutrophilic and eosinophilic granulocytes belong to phagocytes which are able to ingest and melt foreign intruders such as bacteria and waste body products.
The number of granulocytes increases mainly in case of (acute) infectious diseases, caused by various germs. Other possible reasons are allergies, acute poisoning, leukaemia, etc.
The number of granulocytes decreases particularly at the beginning of infectious diseases, damaged bone marrow (decreased production), major physical efforts, and due to taking certain medications.
THROMBOCYTES
Together with other blood ingredients (coagulation factors) thrombocytes or platelets play an important role in the coagulation of blood. Thrombocytes are substantially smaller than other blood cells and they are produced in bone marrow. Deviations from normal values are shown as disturbances in the coagulation of blood.
The number of thrombocytes increases in case of serious infections or tumours, after operations or injuries with a significant loss of blood, and after the removal of spleen. The increased number is not so common in case of sick cells which produce blood in bone marrow.
The number of thrombocytes decreases when their production is disturbed because of the lack of vitamin B12, damages due to radiotherapy or medications. The number of thrombocytes may fall also due to infections, allergies, enlarged spleen or uncontrolled bleeding.
BIOCHEMICAL EXAMINATIONS
LIVER ENZYMES
Acute or chronical inflammation of liver (hepatitis), liver diseases and damages are detected, evaluated and monitored with the help of liver tests. They are used also to assess the effects of chemotherapy on the functioning of liver. The most common liver tests are: ALT, AST, BILIRUBIN, PROTEIN E, GGT, LDH IN prothrombe time.
ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is an enzyme in liver and kidney cells. It is found also in muscle cells but to a lower extent.
AST (aspartate aminotransferase) is a heart and liver enzyme. It is found also in muscle cells but to a lower extent. In case of tissue or cell injuries the enzymes are excreted to the serum.
GGT The quantity of this enzyme from liver is increased in case of numerous liver diseases, which cause also bile retention.
LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) It is found in liver in substantial quantities, but also in the heart muscle, skeletal muscles and red blood cells. An increased quantity shows liver diseases, and also myocardial infarction or increased decay of red blood cells.
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE
This enzyme is produced in liver, which releases it into intestines where it participates in digestion. The content of this enzyme increases in case of a liver disease accompanied with bile retention. As alkaline phosphatase is found also in bones, bone diseases have to be considered as well.
BILIRUBIN
It is produced in liver as a waste product during the decomposition of haemoglobin. It is excreted from the body via liver with faeces and urine and its value helps assess the excretion function of liver and bile ducts. In addition to detecting liver diseases, the examination is used also to trace excessive decomposition of haemoglobin in case of haemolytic anaemia.
PROTEINS
The value of protein concertation (total proteins) helps experts assess the functioning of liver and kidneys and the patient’s dietary status.
CK-creatine kinase
This enzyme participates in releasing energy inside cells. They are divided into three subgroups, found in various types of tissues. CK-BB is found mainly in brain and their content in serum is increased after a stroke or epileptic seizure. CK-MB is found mainly in the heart muscle cells and its content increases after a heart attack.
AMYLASE AND LIPASE
The enzymes are important for the digestion of fats or starch. They are produced in salivary
glands in the mouth and in the pancreas. As a rule, deviations in serum concentrations show inflammation or disorders in the release of the excrete of those glands.
UREA
Urea is the final product in the metabolism of proteins. It is excreted by kidneys. Information about the urea content gives an insight in the functioning of kidneys, and the content depends also on the intake of food. During metabolism, proteins are decomposed to amino acids. A toxic ammonia is produced, which is then transformed in kidneys into less toxic urea. Urea is excreted from the kidneys to blood circulation, and from the body with urine. Kidney damages or illnesses may lead to decreased production of urea. An increased concentration of urea in blood may be the consequence of the disturbed functioning of kidneys (also due to chemotherapy) or excessive decomposition of proteins.
IRON
The examinations, which allow for the assessment of the status of iron in the body, are as follows:
Iron, transferrin and ferritin.
Iron is an essential element, required for the production of haemoglobin or erythrocytes. Iron in the serum represents the share of iron in the liquid part of blood (the rest is in erythrocytes). Transferrin is the main protein for the transfer of iron along the body. Ferritin concentration gives information about the stock of iron in the body.
CHOLESTEROL
Cholesterol, a substance similar to fats, is an important component of cells walls. It provides the frame for the synthesis of various hormones (for example sex hormones and cortisone) and as a component part of bile acid helps in digestion. A major part of cholesterol is produced in liver while the organism takes one part from the food in the intestines. It is found mainly in animal fats (meat, sausages, butter, eggs and fish).
Cholesterol values are increased when too much of it is produced in the body or when the consumption is not high enough or when the body receives too high quantities with food.
High cholesterol values are often connected with diabetes, obesity, alcoholism, kidney, liver and gall-bladder diseases.
Fats are not soluble in water or blood. Therefore lipid (fat) molecules in plasma are bound to proteins and thus can reach all parts of the body. There are more than a dozen proteins that can be bound to cholesterol. The most important are the following: LDL and HDL cholesterol
-LDL (low density lipoproteins) are lipoproteins of low density, containing little proteins and a lot of fat.
-HDL (high density lipoproteins) are lipoproteins of high density
HDL cholesterol is called also good cholesterol, while LDL cholesterol is regarded bad. Research has shown that people with a high share of HDL cholesterol in blood are well protected against arteriosclerosis while LDL accelerates it. On the contrary, a small quantity of HDL means increased risk for health. HDL is able to take excessive cholesterol from arteries and tissues and takes it back to liver which decompose it and excrete it from the body.
TRIGLYCERIDES
Triglyceride values depend on the internal balance of fat metabolism and on external influences. Values increase when we eat food, rich in fats, in case of obesity, hardening of the walls of arteries, diabetes, bad functioning of thyroid gland, kidney and pancreas diseases. Like in cholesterol, heredity factors, associated with the metabolism of fats and excessive consumption of alcohol also affect the increased content of triglycerides.
GLUCOSE
To a great extent, the value depends on the food that we have eaten. Therefore the samples have to be taken on an empty stomach. If diabetes is suspected, several examinations have to be done. Glucose is measured under stress on an empty stomach and two hours after taking a certain amount of glucose. Presence of glucose in urine indicates disturbance of blood sugar metabolism. Most fat people, who suffer from diabetes type II, can live without medications or insulin if they lose weight. Blood sugar often normalises when people lose weight as each gram of fat in the body requires additional insulin.
ELECTROLYTES (sodium, potassium, chlorides) are of key importance for normal functioning of body processes, for the so-called cell metabolism. They help regulate the quantity of water and maintaining acid-base balance in the body.
CALCIUM
It plays a key role in normal functioning of muscles, nervous system, normal blood coagulation
processes and it is an important building block of bones. Changed concentrations of calcium in blood are important also in the disturbed functioning of parathyroid glands.
URATES
When a cell decays or is damaged, purines, ingredients of some cell structures (e.g. DNA), are released to blood. Purines are then metabolised to urates (uric acid salts). High concentrations of urate in blood may result from gout and acute or chronic kidney diseases. It is often increased in oncologic patients due to intensive decay of cells during chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
CRP C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein, produced in liver and it increases significantly in case of damaged tissues, infections, inflammations and rheumatic diseases.
CREATININE
It is the final metabolic product, produced in muscles from creatine. It is required for the generation of energy when contracting muscles. All creatinine is excreted by filtration through kidney glomeruluses and therefore it can show liver functioning very well. It has to be pointed out that the quantity of creatinine depends on the size and muscle mass of an individual, their physical activity and other factors.
IMMUNOLOGIC EXAMINATIONS
TSH
Basic thyroid laboratory tests help assess the thyroid functioning (euthyroidsm, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism).