By GR Sep 27
When I wanted to get healthy I wasn’t sure that I wanted to get into biohacking. After all, it seems like a lot of time-consuming work that I just wasn’t ready to do. However, after reading Lifespan by David A. Sinclair I started to see the benefits of really understanding my body before I ventured into any wellness or health journey.
Essentially, I learned that biohacking revolves around optimizing your personal health in order to live a longer, healthier and happier life. The first step towards achieving that for me is understanding my body’s unique needs through comprehensive testing.
DNA, blood and gut biome tests are invaluable tools for uncovering nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and other biomarkers that affect overall health. These tests provide a detailed baseline to build from and allow one to tailor their diet, supplements, and lifestyle to their specific biology.
Biohacking is about precision. This requires not only initial testing and adjustments to your diet and lifestyle, but continuous testing and adjusting. This is not a one time thing. It’s a new lifestyle that will forever enrich your and your loved ones lives. Continuous testing is vital in order to measure improvements and to ensure that you’re not over-compensating in any one particular area.
Many programs offer monthly testing. Personally, I think this is a bit much. I am opting for quarterly testing to start (it’s less expensive and intrusive) and then moving to semi-annual once I feel I’m properly “optimized.”
Identifying Deficiencies and Genetic Predispositions
Genetic predispositions can be identified primarily through a DNA test. Greg Brecka is the leading biohacker and offers a comprehensive DNA test; the 10X Health Precision Genetic Test. The test looks into genetic makeup to help understand how the body functions and where it may need improvement. This test is designed to reveal genetic deficiencies, particularly those impacting the body’s methylation cycle, which is crucial for converting nutrients into usable forms.
The test analyzes several “actionable” genes that affect processes like energy production, hormone balance, and detoxification. Based on the results, 10X Health provides personalized recommendations, including a tailored nutrition plan and, if needed, specific supplements or IV therapy to optimize health and performance.
One of the standout features of the 10X Health test is its Precision Nutrition System, which evaluates how the body processes over 900 different foods. This ensures that any diets are aligned with people’s unique genetic profiles to improve energy levels, mental clarity, and physical performance. The company also offers proprietary supplements and IVs that are customized to specific genetic data, providing targeted nutritional support.
I had already done my DNA test using 23-andme’s Total Health package. Apart from their ancestry research, they also provide genetic mapping to identify many of the same valuable information as 10X. This gave me a solid understanding of my DNA and predispositions to various diseases, deficiencies and allergens.
After mapping my DNA, a comprehensive blood test was essential for identifying environmental nutrient deficiencies that might be slowing down my progress. I used a startup company here in Miami called 5dgenx. They work with labs and insurance companies so all you pay is the co-pay for regular lab tests. You can also go to a lab to get blood drawn or pay a little to have a nurse come to your apartment.
The feedback I received from them is very comprehensive and informative. Over 16 pages of findings on cholesterol, proteins, allergens, and more. For every item they not only list the result, but the desired range. Whether it’s a lack of magnesium impacting your sleep or low Omega-3 levels affecting your cognitive function, these tests helped me pinpoint where my body needed support. For example, my blood test revealed I was low in Vitamin D, prompting me to increase supplementation.
Equally crucial is biome testing. The gut microbiome influences digestion, immune health, and even mood. A gut test, like those offered by Viome, can identify whether a microbiome is producing beneficial nutrients or harmful toxins. This allows one to address imbalances that could be contributing to poor digestion or inflammation. By tweaking my diet and adding probiotics based on my results, I was able to improve gut health and overall well-being.
I won’t lie. I was a little squeamish about doing a “poop” test. But, Viome makes it super easy and not weird. They thought of everything and give you step by step instructions. Also, their customer support is very friendly and their programs are flexible so they work with whatever you’re trying to achieve, including within your budget.
My Personal Experience with Blood and Biome Tests
To take you into this journey with me I’m going to share my results and then, in future articles, also share what supplements I added and how I changed my lifestyle to improve my overall health. For now, I’ll share an overview of my test results from both 5dgenx and Viome.
Areas to Focus On:
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Liver and Iron-Related Issues:
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Transferrin (180 mg/dL): Below the reference range, indicating potential liver issues or poor iron metabolism.
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DHEA (346 ug/dL): Elevated, possibly indicating liver dysfunction as DHEA is processed in the liver.
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Total IgE (136 kU/L): Elevated, suggesting potential allergic reactions or liver/pancreatic stress.
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Remedy: Consider reducing protein intake and addressing liver function with supplements or further medical consultation.
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Cardiovascular and Cholesterol Health:
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LDL Cholesterol (128 mg/dL): Above optimal levels, increasing cardiovascular risk.
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Hemoglobin A1C (5.8%): Slightly elevated, showing risk of insulin resistance or early-stage diabetes.
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Remedy: Increase intake of fruits, reduce alcohol consumption, and monitor carbohydrate intake (e.g., using apple cider vinegar before meals).
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Allergies and Immune Response:
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Elevated responses to multiple allergens, including dog dander, dust mites, and cat epithelia, indicating allergic sensitivity.
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Remedy: Consider peptides or immune-strengthening supplements to manage allergic reactions.
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Endocrine and Hormonal Function:
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Luteinizing Hormone (10.5 mIU/mL) and Testosterone Total (940 ng/dL): Elevated, suggesting a robust hormone profile but worth monitoring for long-term balance.
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SHBG (88.7 nmol/L): High, indicating efficient hormone regulation but should be monitored for balance.
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Areas Doing Well:
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Complete Blood Count (CBC): Your WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Platelet Count, and other CBC parameters are within normal ranges, indicating good overall blood health.
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Vitamin and Mineral Levels: Vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B12 are within normal ranges, contributing to good immune and nervous system health. However, Vitamin D (38.9 ng/mL) is on the lower end, so consider increasing sun exposure or supplementing with Vitamin D.
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Lipid Profile: While LDL cholesterol is slightly elevated, your HDL (55 mg/dL), triglycerides (56 mg/dL), and overall cholesterol (192 mg/dL) are within healthy ranges, reducing your cardiovascular risk profile.
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Kidney and Liver Function: Markers like AST, ALT, Creatinine, and BUN are within normal ranges, suggesting good liver and kidney function overall, despite some liver-related indicators mentioned earlier.
Overall Recommendations:
These tests offer a detailed health profile, setting the stage for a successful biohacking journey. Armed with this data, you can make precise adjustments to your diet, supplements, and lifestyle, knowing that your decisions are backed by science.
My blood tests, completed through 5DGenX, revealed deficiencies in magnesium and Vitamin B12. On the gut health side, Viome’s test indicated low diversity in beneficial bacteria, signaling poor digestion.
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Liver health should be a focus due to elevated transferrin, DHEA, and IgE levels. Consider a liver cleanse or supplements such as milk thistle or NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) and reduce alcohol intake.
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Cardiovascular health: Lower LDL cholesterol and reduce A1C with a balanced diet, exercise, and monitoring carbohydrate intake.
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Allergy management: Strengthen your immune system with targeted peptides or natural immune-boosting supplements.
Armed with these insights, I incorporated targeted probiotics, adjusted my diet to increase fiber, and added magnesium and B12 supplements. Within a few months, my energy and cognition improved significantly, validating the importance of these tests in optimizing health.
Final Thoughts: Why Testing Matters in Biohacking
Biohacking isn’t about guessing—it’s about using data to make informed decisions that optimize your health. Testing was a game-changer for me, and it can be for you too. By starting with comprehensive blood and biome tests, you’ll have the foundational insights needed to tailor your biohacking efforts to your specific biology.
Stay tuned for the next article, where I’ll break down how to craft a biohacking diet based on your test results, ensuring that you’re fueling your body with exactly what it needs.
