Many factors influence how energetic we are in our daily lives or when exercising, and what our health will be like in the future. For example, vitamin levels and iron levels affect how well we can keep going. Cholesterol and blood sugar levels affect our health, even if we don’t immediately feel their impact. EasyFit’s spring partner, Puhti, explains the most important blood values for people who exercise.
Is a varied diet always enough to ensure that an active person gets all the nutrients they need? Nutrients that are important for athletes include vitamin D, iron, and vitamin B12. Especially if, for example, you’re having trouble with energy levels or coping with daily life, it may be worth investigating more closely what’s causing the problem and whether there’s anything you can do about it yourself. Sometimes it may be a deficiency, such as iron deficiency, which you can address yourself through diet and supplements. Other times, it may be an illness that requires medical treatment.
Laboratory tests provide deeper insight into how your body functions and support lifestyle changes. These measurements make it easy to see what your current health status is and how it changes, for example, as a result of lifestyle changes or weight fluctuations. For example, tracking a decrease in cholesterol levels can be an important motivating factor for change.
When your body is in balance and your lifestyle is healthy, you’ll have more stamina for everyday life, more energy for exercise, and you’ll be better able to prevent illness! Understanding your body’s needs also gives you the best foundation for responding quickly to future changes, even before symptoms necessarily appear.
Next, let's take a look at a few specific metrics that exercisers might want to keep track of.
1. Athletes Need Iron – Ferritin Is a Marker of Iron Stores
One of iron’s most important functions is to transport oxygen to vital organs, such as the heart and muscles. If iron stores are low, you may feel down, your steps may feel heavy, and you may not have enough energy even for daily activities. Active athletes are prone to iron deficiency, as intense exercise depletes iron at a higher rate than usual. Consequently, they also need to consume more iron through their diet than usual. Women of childbearing age are also at particular risk of iron deficiency due to menstruation.
Restoring low iron stores can help prevent the development of iron-deficiency anemia and anemia-related symptoms such as fatigue and weakness. Iron is found in foods such as meat and liver, but also in plant-based sources such as whole grains.
Ferritin is the primary test used to detect possible iron deficiency. If iron stores become depleted, this can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. In addition, iron levels and anemia can be assessed by measuring hemoglobin; low hemoglobin levels indicate anemia.
2. Thyroid function affects your energy levels
Thyroid disorders are the most common endocrine disorders. There are several causes of thyroid dysfunction. Thyrotropin ( TSH ) is the primary test used to diagnose thyroid dysfunction.
Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects, among other things, energy levels, overall well-being, body temperature regulation, and weight control. An overactive thyroid, on the other hand, causes the metabolism to run at an accelerated pace, which leads to feelings of nervousness and increases the heart rate.
3. “Sunshine Vitamin” D affects, among other things, the bones
Vitamin D is stored from sunlight during the summer, but these stores alone are not enough to last through the long winter. On average, Finns do not get enough vitamin D. Vitamin D affects, among other things, calcium absorption, the prevention of osteoporosis, and bone health; it also supports the normal functioning of the immune system and muscles.
Dietary supplements are an important way to ensure an adequate intake of vitamin D. Whether the generally recommended dose of 10 µg/day is sufficient to ensure adequate vitamin D levels varies greatly from person to person. 100 µg/day is the upper limit for a safe dose in adults, which should not be exceeded.
4. Vitamin B12 is a friend to the nervous system and memory
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, enables the formation of genetic material, boosts metabolism, and supports a healthy central nervous system. An adequate intake of vitamin B12 also helps prevent anemia.
Vitamin B12 can only be obtained through the diet from animal-based foods, which is why a deficiency of this vitamin can particularly affect vegans and vegetarians. For vegans, a dietary supplement is essential. The absorption of vitamin B12 from food decreases as we age. Liver dishes are particularly rich in vitamin B12. If necessary, the diet should be supplemented with a dietary supplement.
What's the deal?
Puhti is a service that allows you to get lab tests without a doctor’s referral. The Puhti health checkup includes 30 key indicators that provide comprehensive information about the state of your body. There are also test packages available for different situations and needs, such as health checkups specifically for active people!
You can order tests through Puhdin without a doctor’s referral. You’ll usually receive your results as early as the next business day. The results service also provides in-depth information on how you can improve your well-being and resilience. You’ll get a clear overview of your results and ideas for personal development. If needed, you can order a consultation with a doctor as a separate add-on service through Puhdin’s results report.
EasyFit’s partner, Puhti, is a service founded in 2018 for measuring and tracking your health. We work closely with our partners and various stakeholders. We believe that each of us deserves more energy. Puhti’s lab tests support your exercise and training!