BrainSpan Fatty Acid Testing and Results
Patients in the office (and readers of previous blog posts) are aware that the major focus of our office is to improve function and quality of life with patients, regardless of the previous symptoms or diagnosis that accompanies the patient when they come to see us. We strive to support the structural, neurological, and nutritional imbalances that are contributing to the overall presentation of each patient, attempting to address the cause of their particular situation. As a general rule, our new patient exams involve a thorough medical history, a comprehensive physical exam, and when the situation warrants, we also pursue imaging tests (like x-ray and/or MRI, etc.), and laboratory tests (blood, urine, saliva, etc.) to get to the bottom of the patient’s presentation. Recently, Dr. Horsley and I (Dr. Hayden) experimented with a new lab that assesses red blood cell fatty acid status, which gives insight into the cellular health and systemic inflammatory processes affecting the body. This test is performed through BrainSpan Laboratories.
Fatty acid balance is essential to optimal health, and inappropriate ratios can lead to a variety of symptoms and inflammatory conditions. Imbalance in the fatty acid system can lead to brain, eye, heart, and developmental problems. For this reason, we decided to incorporate BrainSpan testing in the office. Prior to rolling out this test in our office, we wanted to test ourselves, and compare our findings with other tests that we have performed on ourselves in order to validate the results. Needless to say, we were both impressed with the BrainSpan test, and have decided to offer it to patients in our office.
In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the test, I will go through my results, posting screen shots of what was found, and explaining the importance of some of the results below:
The test is divided into two portions. There is a blood test that comes from a kit (suggested MSRP $199), and functional cognitive assessments that are combined to provide the report.
The report was provided through the practitioner portal, and included a 10 page color PDF. The first 6 pages were the results, with an explanation of the findings, including some of the research points for why a particular marker is important. The 7th page was the research citations. The 8th page was a summary page with potential nutritional recommendations that could be prescribed. The 9th page listed dietary sources of essential fatty acids, and the 10th page demonstrated the effects of fatty acids throughout the various stages of life, from infants to seniors, and discusses the importance of brain health in each stage.
The first thing that caught my eye from my report was the BrainSpan Trajectory Index on the first page. It is the cumulative score of both my structural blood test results, and my functional cognitive assessments. Compared to “normal aging,” I have markers that would indicate that I am setting myself up for some accelerated brain-aging. After seeing this first finding, it certainly made me consider some things, and I immediately wanted to look into a few of the recommendations and start making some changes. My personal history of numerous concussions from high school football, and growing up on the standard American diet has caused me to be nervous about my brain, and the future I may have. (Watching the movie Concussion literally give me nightmares for a few days.)
There are both blood test findings, and functional assessments that are taken into consideration with these results. The most likely factor from the blood test, is the cellular inflammation balance marker that is derived from the omega 6 to omega 3 ratio. Achieving the optimal 1:1 ratio is difficult without being proactive. Needless to say, after seeing my test results, the amount of Tuna Fish and Cod Liver Oil in my life went up substantially! Even following a clean diet, primarily of grass fed meats, and minimal splurges fast food, my ratio is no where near where I want it to be.
One of my favorite components to the test is how it is coupled with scientific research in the report, along with the clinical recommendations. The test results and the associated symptoms that tend to accompany the scores can be found hand in hand.
Don’t worry though, the test was not all doom and gloom for me. Even though there are some signs of inflammation, and I have room to improve, the functional side of things is not looking too bad. Essentially my take away, is that I have adapted really well to what is going on, and have compensated to the inflammation, and can still perform at a high level (for now). The online functional assessment helps to determine how the brain is actually functioning in light of the physiological and inflammatory processes that are running around in the background. Even though I take supplements, have a pretty good diet, attempt to manage my sleep and stress levels, there is still some stuff that I can improve. I am 100% convinced that because of the modifications that I have made in my own life, that I am able to perform functionally at a fairly high level when it comes to mental processing and cognitive activities (even though the accelerated aging is going on cellularly in the background).
When I see the functional tests report excellent scores, it gets me excited to see what I could do in business, with my family activities, through my personal studies, in my athletic pursuits, and other areas of my life when I am able to get the inflammation down in my brain, and not have to compensate to the inflammatory state that it is currently in. Since the brain controls every aspect of our lives, it is the most important organ for us to take care of.
Needless to say, I am impressed with the testing and I am excited to offer it in the clinic. Dr. Horsley also completed the test, and it was no surprise that she had some good results that demonstrated good things are going on between her ears.
I invite you to get tested, and see how your brain is performing structurally, and functionally. The BrainSpan Laboratory recommends pricing the test at $199, but the current plan is to offer the test for $139 until January 1, 2019. This should help more patients have the chance to get tested, and have a chance to see first hand how their brain is doing. If you have any questions, please let me know.
