The Value of Tracking Biomarkers for Sport and Life Performance
Blood analysis can be a valuable tool for performance-minded individuals. However, in a typical healthcare setting, e.g., annual blood work with your physician, the lens of health does not go beyond the ‘hit parade’ of common health issues they treat in their practice. And, physicians are not, typically, fluent in the wider range of biomarkers or value ranges that impact human performance. For example, it is not uncommon to be told vitamin D levels are adequate, which they may be from a medical standpoint, but will leave you less equipped to perform at a high level.
Blood biomarker analysis can be an amazing viewing window into performance improvement opportunities, but without the knowledge to apply change, we are left with too much information and too little action. Today, we will cover how you can incorporate biomarker analysis into your performance journey and offer up an action plan detailing how to review the data and make actionable steps towards elevating your health.
Lets Lay This Out:
Biomarker Tracking, Be Smart
At Purple Patch, empowering athletes to be smart and effective in training is what we do, and education is the backbone of our model. We strive to surround you with the very best experts in relevant fields. A large part of this approach is taking on the role of a performance filter. We sift through the marketing claims and myths to deliver the education, tools, and expertise that can provide meaningful change. That written, biomarker tracking is just another piece of the puzzle. If you do choose to analyze your blood, and we recommend you do, do it the right way, and gain real insight from the process.
That is where InsideTracker comes in. They are a blood analysis company that measures biomarkers and advises on training, habits, stress reduction, and diet.
As readers of our content, you know there is no quick-fix or hocus-pocus prescription of supplements when it comes to your health, diet, and stress reduction. Instead, InsideTracker focuses on data collection and actionable analysis to offer measurable improvements to develop your sustainable platform of health, no matter your goal or occupation.
InsideTracker is also dedicated to recommending optimal biomarker levels, not just medically acceptable. At Purple Patch, we want you to thrive, not just survive.
Why Blood Analysis?
We’ve already touched on the importance of this, but it’s worth reiterating: the information gleaned from blood analysis should be viewed through the lens of being an athlete or performance enthusiast. There are specific biomarkers to look out for when considering a very active (and performance-based) lifestyle.
Blood analysis should not aim to map a laundry list of special superfoods and supplements to boost performance. Firstly, it would not be effective, and secondly, it’s not aligned with the Purple Patch holistic ethos.
Instead, an biomarker assessment should provide a broad scope of insights mainly around:
Stress
Lipid and cholesterol profile
Hormonal profile (with some caveat around perimenopausal female athletes)
Levels of key nutrients, vitamins, and minerals
Iron and ferritin stores
This is a comprehensive list, hence, the barrier for many to take actional steps without guidance. In each area, we want to take a performance mindset and maintain the goal of going from ‘good to great,’ not just medically acceptable. This is not a medical procedure; it is a performance process. A key benefit of utilizing Inside Tracker software is they provide a performance-focused set of recommendations designed to help you thrive and go from good to great. Your quest isn’t to be medically functional. Instead, you should seek stable and strong health, energy, and the ability to optimize your training.
Applying the Insights
When evaluating athletes’ blood analysis results, we use the Purple Patch Pillars of Performance (endurance training, strength training, nutrition, and recovery) as pointers for how to best approach habit changes.
The recommendations we make from the data collected aim to answer four key performance questions (in order of priority):
What changes should I make in my training or training load?
Second, what habits should I evolve or focus on improving?
Third, are there any shifts in my diet or eating habits that could improve my performance?
Finally, should I add any supplements to address specific performance-related deficiencies?
In addition to these four questions, consider an additional critical one:
Does the data indicate a more serious medical condition that requires evaluation by a doctor or specialist?
Blood analysis is not designed to be a replacement for collaboration with your doctor, especially in the case of more serious diseases. However, it is a sound method to foster insights into your performance profile and, hopefully, track improvements in these markers.
It is of the utmost importance to monitor changes in your biomarker data as you introduce alterations to your training, diet, or stress management. Improvement won’t occur simply because of adding supplements or a single change in eating habits but in a considered approach to making smart decisions around training, focusing on positive habits, and potential changes in nutrition.
Case Study
It’s always nice to give a real-world example to illustrate a point. We’ll call our performance-minded friend Bob. Bob has just received the results from his blood analysis with InsideTracker, and here they are:
Lower than optimal Iron and Ferritin Levels
Suppressed Vitamin D
Lower than optimal levels of Testosterone
Elevated inflammation profile and stress hormones
Slightly raised LDL Cholesterol levels
Here’s a quick and dirty (and curtailed), list of recommendations Bob should consider:
A Review of His Training Program: Is his training load too high relative to the rigors of his life commitments?
Focus on Strength Training: Strength training is anabolic in nature and stimulates Testosterone production.
Prioritize Sleep: Per Bob’s report of 5 nightly hours, this is likely the root cause of a few of his issues.
Adopt Oatmeal, Meats, and Leafy Greens: Foods proven to support LDL Cholesterol management and mend Bob’s Iron deficiency.
Supplement with Vitamin D: This is a common deficiency among high-performers and is tough to replenish completely via diet.
Bob found this not only specific and actionable but easy to follow for understanding the application of blood analysis and biomarker tracking.
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You can choose the package that fits, and even extend to full DNA analysis. There are several nicely packaged programs to help you make positive changes.
If you would like our counsel and advice in reviewing the recommendations and data, and putting together a personalized action plan, feel free to schedule a coaching consultation with one of our top-tier expert coaches.