Is blood testing the new secret weapon? Elite athletes reveal how biomarker tests unlock peak performance, and how you can use this science to gain your own edge. Diana is a nationally-recognized Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist, and holds her Master's in Nutrition Science & Policy from Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition. With over 7 years of editing in the scientific research industry, Caitlin specializes in making complex topics accessible. Drawing on her background in Visual Communication Design, she uses a creative approach to provide clear and engaging content. In the pursuit of athletic excellence, every slight advantage can make a significant difference. Elite athletes understand that optimal performance is a holistic approach that considers nutrition, recovery, and deep insights into their body's unique needs. Biomarker analysis has transformed how those at the top of their game fine-tune their dietetic regimens. We spoke to an Olympian, endurance athlete, and ultramarathon runner to learn how they use InsideTracker to optimize their health and performance.
Go well beyond annual bloodwork with combined insights from your blood, DNA, physiomarker, and lifestyle data to optimize your health. US track cyclist Sarah Hammer spent years training and building her endurance. After her 2008 Summer Olympics results-a fifth-place finish and a DNF-she was determined to reach her full potential. Sarah knew there was room for improvement. But the key wasn't just pushing her body harder-it was about looking inward. Through a blood analysis with InsideTracker, she discovered her vitamin D levels were severely depleted. Following our personalized recommendations, Sarah and her coach put in place a targeted strategy to optimize her vitamin D status. The results spoke for themselves. Her commitment paid off at the 2012 Olympics, where she secured two silver medals in track cycling. Vitamin D deficiency plagues athletes worldwide, with studies showing a surprising prevalence even among professionals. A 2016 study revealed that 32% of pro basketball players were deficient, and 47% had suboptimal levels. Studies suggest this nutrient increases the size and number of muscle fibers crucial for explosive power and speed.
It also combines with calcium to strengthen bones, providing a solid foundation to withstand intense training. Inflammation is also a crucial factor in muscle recovery and overall health, and studies suggest vitamin D may significantly reduce it. Finally, a randomized control trial showed low vitamin D levels can decrease testosterone, especially in men. This anabolic hormone produced in both sexes helps increase bone strength and stimulates muscle mass and strength. The only way to know whether your vitamin D levels are adequate is to have your blood levels checked. Membership plan analyzes this and many other biomarkers to create science-backed recommendations for living healthier, longer. Crystal Seager, an ultramarathoner who routinely runs 50 and 100-mile races, hit a wall after her last 100-miler. Unlike before, her body and mind just weren't bouncing back. Instead of guessing, she analyzed her bloodwork with InsideTracker before beginning another training cycle. » Is inflammation affecting your training and recovery?
The test revealed an iron deficiency, a common cause of fatigue in athletes. Women are more susceptible to low stores due to menstruation, but you may also lose it through sweat, the physical stress of running, and occasional gastrointestinal bleeding that may happen after intense workouts. » Fatigue can be debilitating. Iron, a key component of hemoglobin in red blood cells (RBCs), transports oxygen throughout your body. When its levels drop, so do RBCs and hemoglobin. You get less oxygen reaching your muscles and brain, lowering performance and impacting overall health. Ferritin-a protein that stores iron-is the best indicator of your body's reserves. Since female athletes are more prone to deficiency, an InsideTracker blood analysis can help you monitor levels to identify it before it impacts your performance. Aiming to conquer the Western States Endurance Run, a grueling 100-mile ultramarathon, Kris Brown knew he needed to optimize his training regimen. After battling low iron levels the previous year, he turned to InsideTracker for a comprehensive health analysis.
The results revealed elevated cortisol, a telltale sign of overtraining. The body's stress hormone, naturally rises in response to physical demands. But, chronically high levels due to excessive training can lead to chronic fatigue, impaired blood sugar control, and weight gain. With this insight, Kris used InsideTracker's science-backed recommendations, including taking Ashwagandha root daily and consuming whey protein at night. » Recovery is essential for training. Cortisol isn't the only biomarker impacting recovery. Creatine kinase (CK) levels-an enzyme that rises during muscle damage-help athletes see how their bodies react to training load and GlycoMode Glucose Support intensity. Following intense exercise, CK levels typically peak within 2-4 days. Identifying potential injury: Extremely high or persistent CK levels beyond expected recovery times could signal excessive muscle damage. This could result in muscle pain, weakness, and injury and seriously impact athletic performance. InsideTracker personalizes your optimal CK range based on age, gender, ethnicity, and athletic activity. If your levels fall outside this range, you'll receive recommendations-like lifestyle changes or dietary tweaks-to bring them back into balance.