Science portal
Boosting metabolism: what’s actually proven
Boosting your metabolism: what is supported by evidence The essentials at a glance Metabolism is not an engine you can rev up. It is the sum of all the processes by which the body obtains and uses energy, and by...
DNA test or blood test: which should come first?
DNA test or blood test: Which should come first? The key points in brief The answer depends on your question, not on the test. Do you want to understand why your body reacts to diet, exercise, or caffeine the way...
Vitamin D and magnesium: what the research shows
Vitamin D and magnesium: what the evidence shows The essentials at a glance The role of magnesium as a cofactor in vitamin D metabolism is described in the scientific literature. However, the wording there is more cautious than what is...
Capillary blood from the fingertip has its own rules
Capillary blood from the fingertip has its own rules The essentials at a glance A drop from the fingertip and a tube collected from a vein in the arm are two different procedures, each with its own sources of error....
Reference ranges are distributions, not target values
Reference ranges are distributions, not target values The key points at a glance Every report has a range next to the number. Almost everyone reads it as a target. It is something else. A reference range describes where the test...
A value without a previous value is just a point
A Value Without a Previous Value Is Just a Point The Key Points at a Glance Putting two figures side by side is not yet a comparison. A difference becomes information only when it is greater than what fluctuates anyway....
Ferritin shows iron stores; iron shows the current level.
Ferritin shows the stores; iron shows the moment The essentials at a glance Both values appear one below the other on a report and have almost the same name. Nevertheless, they answer completely different questions. When it comes to the...
Chromium, molybdenum, and manganese: three quiet trace elements
Chromium, molybdenum, and manganese: three overlooked trace elements The essentials at a glance Chromium, molybdenum, and manganese are considered essential trace elements in the specialist literature. Nevertheless, they almost never appear on a test result. The reason is noteworthy: The...
fT3 and fT4 alongside TSH: what they add
fT3 and fT4 alongside TSH: what they add The essentials at a glance TSH measures the signal sent to the thyroid. fT3 and fT4 measure what the thyroid produces in response. These are two different sides of the same regulatory...