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Athletes constantly push their bodies to the limits, seeking that extra edge to enhance their performance. While training, nutrition, and rest are crucial components of their regimen, some athletes are turning to a more personalized approach: root cause testing. In this post, we'll explore the various types of testing available, their benefits, and how athletes can integrate these insights into their training. We'll also share how triathlete Brittany Warly has elevated her health efforts to improve her performance as a professional athlete.
Root cause medicine goes beyond merely treating symptoms; it aims to identify and address the underlying factors affecting health and performance. Whether it's gut health imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalances, food sensitivities, toxin or microbial exposures, or genetic predispositions, these factors can significantly impact an athlete's overall well-being. By pinpointing and addressing these root causes, athletes can optimize their health and performance in a way that is uniquely tailored to their specific needs.
Brittany Warly competes as part of the Canadian professional triathlon team. After struggling with health issues for the last few seasons, she decided to take a deeper dive into understanding her body at a cellular level. As she explains, "As a professional athlete, fractions of a percent can make the difference between mediocre and elite performance, and I want to ensure I leave no stone unturned."
Working with a laboratory that offers testing for the root causes of illness can be transformative. Warly says, "What sets Genova apart from your standard blood tests is the level of detail provided. The information is at the cellular level, which I haven't found in other blood work I've done. In the past, after a basic blood panel, I was prescribed various supplements, but these often acted as a bandaid, not addressing the underlying issues. Genova's testing gave me an understanding of my body's cycles and how my values affect these processes."
Genova works with many athletes, including entire professional sports teams, to implement root cause medicine testing and gain insights into their health, improve their performance, and achieve their goals.
Root cause medicine testing refers to laboratory testing designed to uncover the underlying factors causing health issues. These tests are used in functional and integrative medicine practices, which focus on treating the root causes of illness rather than just the symptoms. Key aspects of root cause medicine testing include:
Nutrition is foundational to athletic success,1 but navigating the vast amount of information and sometimes conflicting advice can be challenging. Every athlete's nutritional needs are unique. Metabolomix+ is a comprehensive nutritional test that identifies your unique nutrient needs and provides personalized recommendations, helping athletes optimize their diet for peak performance.
Intense workouts can strain gut health, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, reflux, and abdominal pain.2 Athletes, especially those in endurance sports like triathlon and marathon running, are prone to increased intestinal permeability, also known as "leaky gut."
A Gut Health Test can determine if you are digesting and absorbing your food properly, assess gut inflammation, and evaluate the vital balance of the gut bacteria ‐ critical for overall health and performance.
Hormone imbalances are common among athletes, particularly women. Menstrual irregularities and changes in cortisol, the body's stress hormone, can result from overtraining without enough nutrition to support it. This condition, known as Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), can also affect male athletes, primarily through lowered testosterone levels.4 A Comprehensive Hormonal Health Test examines hormones related to sex, sleep, and stress, helping athletes identify and address hormonal imbalances.
After receiving her lab results, Warly states, "I then take the knowledge we've gained and make changes in lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation to make these processes flow smoother. Genova has given me the details I need to make the necessary changes to be a healthier individual in life and sport, allowing me to continue pursuing my goals!"
Whether you're a professional athlete or someone who enjoys staying active, consider upping your game with root cause medicine testing to help your performance. Genova Connect offers comprehensive and targeted panels to meet your specific needs.
If you'd like to learn more about Sports Medicine, check out The Lab Report podcast, Dan Garner: The Science Behind World-Class Results. The Lab Report is a great way to learn more about functional medicine and addressing the root causes of health concerns.
If you need help finding a healthcare practitioner who understands root cause medicine, explore resources on navigating healthcare models and choose the right one for you.
This article is meant for educational purposes only and is not meant to be misconstrued as medical diagnosis or treatment advice.
