VerticalMed: Holistic Nutritional Diagnostics for Athletes

At VerticalMed, we understand that athletes seek to enhance their race performance, recovery and mental health, minimize gastrointestinal (GI) distress, and determine individualized (race) nutrition.

However, once we begin our journey with our clients, it often becomes evident that underlying body imbalances are preventing them from reaching their full potential.

Our approach integrates advanced laboratory tests and biomarkers to provide a deeper insight into each athlete’s health, paving the way for optimized performance and recovery.

Our Diagnostic Approach

Holistic Blood Panel

A holistic blood panel is a fundamental tool in our diagnostic tool box.
This panel provides a wealth of information, including:

• Nutritional Deficiencies: Identifying gaps that may impair performance, recovery and mental health.
• Inflammation Markers: High levels can negatively impact recovery and lead to performance loss and high risk to get injured.
• Bone Health: Indicators of poor bone metabolism and risk of osteoporosis.
• Hormonal Deficiencies: Precursors to overtraining and recovery issues.
• Electrolyte Imbalances: Influencing hydration needs.
• Iron and Oxygen Transport Levels: Critical for performance.
• Energy Metabolism: Evaluating how effectively the body produces and uses energy, which is crucial for performance.

We also measure whole blood micronutrients to provide a detailed picture of an athlete’s vitamin and mineral status. This testing is crucial because it assesses intracellular levels, offering a more accurate representation of nutrient status and needs than serum tests only.

We recommend every athlete should do a blood test.

Organic Acids Test (OAT)

Organic acids offer detailed insights into metabolism, help identify deficiencies, and enable targeted actions to enhance performance and overall health.

These metabolic markers not only help in understanding the physiological adaptations to training but also in monitoring the health and performance of athletes and diagnosing potential metabolic disorders.

Overall, the analysis of organic acids in urine provides a comprehensive overview of metabolic changes in athletes, highlighting the intricate balance between energy production, substrate utilization, and metabolic stress during prolonged physical activity.

The Organic Acids Test (OAT) examines metabolites in the urine, providing markers that reveal:

• Energy Generation: Efficiency in producing ATP from fats and carbohydrates.
• Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies: Detecting essential nutrient needs.
• Intestinal Health: Identifying bacterial and fungal overgrowths.
• Oxidative Stress Levels: Monitoring reactive oxidative species.
• Neurotransmitter Levels: Affecting mood, energy and training motivation.
• Oxalate Levels: Linked to health issues like kidney stones and anemia.
• Detoxification Capacity: The body’s ability to flush out toxins.

Dried Urine Test for Holistic Hormones (DUTCH)

The DUTCH test provides a holistic analysis of hormone levels, crucial for athletes dealing with issues like amenorrhea in women or low testosterone in men, often due to overtraining and stress-induced cortisol imbalances. This test evaluates:

• Sex Hormones
• Stress Hormones

Understanding these interactions is vital for addressing hormonal imbalances and optimizing overall health.

Metabolic Testing

Metabolic testing offers insights into an athlete’s fat-burning efficiency, enabling us to create tailored training and nutrition plans. This test helps in understanding how well an athlete metabolizes fats and carbohydrates, which is essential for endurance events.

We perform spirometric resting metabolic rate (RMR) measurements, where we determine the athlete’s basal metabolic rate and assess their metabolic state. This data is critical for creating personalized training and nutrition strategies that align with the athlete's specific metabolic profile.

Personalized testing is crucial to improve health and athletic performance.

Holistic Stool Testing

For athletes struggling with GI distress, both during and outside of training, holistic stool testing can reveal:

• Bacterial Levels: Both beneficial and harmful bacteria.
• Parasites: Detecting unwanted organisms.
• Fungi: Identifying fungal presence.
• Maldigestion: Issues related to improper digestion.
• Leaky Gut and Mucosal Issues: Problems with the intestinal lining.
• Intestinal Immune System: Assessing the immune response within the gut.
• Nutrient Absorption: Efficiency of nutrient uptake.

This test helps pinpoint the root causes of GI issues, allowing us to develop targeted strategies to improve gut health and overall performance.

Invest in Your Health

At VerticalMed, we believe that optimal health is the foundation for peak performance.

Our comprehensive diagnostic tools offer athletes a detailed look inside their bodies, uncovering hidden imbalances and providing actionable insights.

By investing in your health, you invest in your performance. Let us help you achieve your athletic goals with precision and personalized care.

For more information on how VerticalMed can help you perform better, follow us on Instagram or visit our website.