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The Opportunity for Biomarkers
Written by LaMar Sheppard, DC, CSCS, QME
Biomarkers provide objective metrics that indicate the risk of disease, effectiveness of treatment and key variables for preventative health located in the blood, urine, tissues and internal organs. Healthcare providers utilize biomarkers to create patient profiles that sustain key insights related to diagnosing insidious conditions, making evidence-informed decisions for treatment, managing the progression of disease and understanding various bodily processes.
Biomarkers reveal insights that support diagnosis and risk management. Providers utilize specific biomarkers to understand how the immune system is responding to pathogens. For example, a blood test displaying elevated levels of C-reactive protein indicates an immune response to injury, infection or chronic disease and warrants further consideration. By uncovering these biomarkers, providers can aggregate their clinical observations with objective insights to yield better recommendations for patients.
DEXA scan is an essential tool to understand body composition which encompasses a set of biomarkers. A single scan provides insights related to visceral adipose tissue, total body fat, bone density and lean muscle tissue. Working with a trusted professional, patients understand how these key metrics increase their risk of morbidity, or disease exposure. The report displays medical-grade outputs, such as bone density, which are analogous to those found in the best hospitals.
Biomarkers play a pivotal role in understanding how patients respond to treatment. While skilled providers utilize evidence to inform their decisions, they acknowledge less control over the outcome. Patients respond differently to nutritional interventions including supplements, for example. The process begins by testing for metabolites in the urine to understand overall deficiencies for targeting care. Subsequent tests reveal how treatment has progressed with each patient and at-home testing makes participation easier in this case. The outputs prove essential for providers in managing their care recommendations for patients over time.
By positioning tools to utilize biomarkers, providers yield more effective results from treatment while enabling patients to uncover an improved quality of life. Biomarkers represent an opportunity for preventative care as indispensable tools to assist providers in anticipating impactful outcomes, tailoring suggestions for care and promoting your healthspan.