The ZRT Laboratory Blog

Looking Back on 2019: Most Popular Webinars

Fri, 10 Jan 2020 15:02:19 -0800

2019 saw a varied collection of webinars for our health care providers, ranging from practical hormone therapy dosing to the complex biochemistry of the endocannabinoid system. This year we saw an abundance of support from attendees – sharing excitement for topics, actively engaging by asking excellent questions during and after the webinar, and even requesting additional webinars because they just couldn’t get enough! With these overwhelming responses, we wanted to extend the excitement by celebrating the top 5 webinars by attendance for 2019! Let’s take a look.

Hormone Replacement Therapy Dosing for Optimal Clinical Response

Jim Paoletti shared his pearls of wisdom on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), compounding, choice of dosage forms available, and the best way to test levels to obtain the best clinical outcomes. He talked about the pros and cons of different dosage forms depending on which hormone is being supplemented, and how the hormone is distributed in the body when given by different routes. He explained terminology that is often a source of confusion in the medical community and clarified what physiologic dosing means. He covered recommendations for starting dosages, how to adjust dosing based on clinical response and how to monitor by testing, including the optimal time to test after dosing by different routes of administration. He also discussed the advantages of compounding BHRT.

Hormonal Imbalance and Adrenal Dysfunction

Dr. Jack Monaco explained normal adrenal function, the interaction of the adrenals with thyroid and reproductive hormones, and the steroid pathways showing how the various hormones are synthesized. He then went on to describe how to recognize the signs and symptoms of adrenal dysfunction, and how to become familiar with ways of testing for adrenal imbalances. Finally, he covered the efficacy of some alternative treatments for adrenal dysfunction, including various medications as well as adrenal support supplements.

New Understandings of the Endocannabinoid System and Women's Health

Dr. Felice Gersh discussed the fundamentals of the endocannabinoid system and the many roles played by endocannabinoids in the female body. She described how this system relates to female hormones, mood and cognition, the immune system, and the gut, with resulting impacts on reproductive, metabolic, emotional, cognitive, and immune health. She also reviewed the dangers and potential benefits of cannabis use by women, with these wide-ranging effects in mind.

What You Must Know About Male Hormones

Dr. Pamela Smith explored what we know about the hormones pregnenolone, DHEA, testosterone, estrone, estradiol, DHT, progesterone, and cortisol in men. She talked about the science behind hormonal function and what levels of each hormone to expect, as well as the functional implications of the decline in testosterone with age. Finally, she reviewed medical literature on hormone replacement, discussed pros and cons of supplementation, and presented some individual cases.

Understanding Thyroid Labs

Dr. Alison McAllister reviewed thyroid testing options to assess thyroid function. She reviewed thyroid physiology, symptoms of thyroid imbalance, and how to monitor thyroid function with lab testing. She explained how to use adjunctive lab testing such as iodine and selenium as well as heavy metal testing to help understand a patient’s thyroid problems. She summarized several examples of patients with thyroid problems and described what their results mean in each case.

Looking Back on 2019: Most Popular Patient Blog Posts

Fri, 03 Jan 2020 17:21:48 -0800

As we ring in the new year, we are reminded of all the accomplishments that came with 2019. We launched our new serum testing, followed by our launch of a new LCMS Saliva Steroid Profile. We also welcomed with open arms our newest clinical consultant, Beth Baldwin, and surpassed 10 million tests completed worldwide! Wow, what a year! Before we close the door on 2019, let’s take a moment to look at the most popular blog posts for patients from 2019.

Understanding the Connection Between Hormones and Hair Loss

A symbol of femininity for so many women, our hair demands attention. Both deeply personal and superficially public, changes in the looks of our hair can inspire a range of emotions, driving us to willingly partake in its cutting, straightening, curling, bleaching, darkening, or other aggressive chemical treatments. Hair is part of who we are and how we present ourselves to the world. This is why thinning hair is kind of a big deal – it can be a very frustrating topic for many women as there is no quick solution to getting more hair instantly.

Ironically the phrase “beauty is only skin deep” is not entirely appropriate in conversations about hair. Thinning, dry hair is actually a symptom of internal changes in the body. Perhaps viewed by some as a normal, inevitable sign of aging or response to stress, losing hair is oftentimes related to endocrine imbalances. This blog is going to review the role that hormones play in hair health.

Brazil Nuts as a Selenium Supplement?

Selenium is a trace essential element that is incorporated into selenoproteins. There are at least 25 known selenoproteins in the human body, their primary roles being antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase and thyroid deiodinases that convert thyroxine (T4) to active thyroid hormone (T3). Deficiencies in selenium can be detrimental to health, while selenium excess can be just as dangerous. Brazil nuts are commonly used as a form of selenium supplementation, but it isn’t commonly known that the level of selenium in Brazil nuts is highly variable.

Brazil nuts are well known for their high concentration of selenium. Soil conditions in parts of South America are unique in that they are deficient in sulfur, a necessary element required for the formation of the amino acids methionine and cysteine [1]. Selenium and sulfur are chemically very similar, so plants take up selenium in place of sulfur, forming the amino acids selenomethionine and selenocysteine. Soil often contains inorganic selenite and selenate, which are converted to organic selenomethionine and other methylated derivatives once taken up by the plant. Selenomethionine and selenocysteine can replace methionine and cysteine in proteins without loss of function.

My Thyroid Story

I was so tired. I needed a new word for tired. I felt exhausted and incapacitated, utterly drained and hollowed out. It was like my brain and body were fading. And yet, these words are still not descriptive enough to relate how I felt. Getting out of bed felt grueling, punishing. I was 24 at the time, in my 4th year of my PhD program at Purdue University. I was newly engaged and so in love with my soon-to-be husband. Really good things were happening in my life. And I could barely function.

On the weekends, I slept in till noon, got out of bed to have a bite of breakfast and would go back to bed until 4 in the afternoon. I could only stay up with my fiancé for a little while in the early evenings, just to go back to bed around 8. This went on for months. At some point, he even asked me if I enjoyed my weekends and I distinctly remember saying “well of course, that’s when I get to sleep in.” During those days, he liked to tease me, saying I was the human equivalent of a sloth. [I did not find that amusing].

Testosterone Deficiency in Younger Men – Is It Real?

Low testosterone in older men, often referred to as “male menopause” or even “andropause” is fairly well known — and testosterone replacement therapy in this age group has not been without its share of controversy, particularly with respect to heart health. Proper testing and dosing are all-important, as well as understanding a man’s physiology and all the factors that affect testosterone levels. For example, when giving testosterone transdermally it is critical to use testing methods such as dried blood spot or saliva to properly assess absorption of testosterone into the body, avoiding the problem of overdosing to achieve “normal” serum levels.

But while a decline in testosterone is a struggle that older men are coming to expect, what about the alarming suggestion that low testosterone is now becoming more prevalent in younger men? An article published last year has brought some attention to a link between poor health and low testosterone levels in younger men. Let’s take a closer look at this article to see who might be at risk.

Getting to the Heart of Estrogen

The American Heart Association has designated the month of February as American Heart Month to raise awareness about heart disease and the healthy choices we can make to prevent it. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. And while some risk factors are out of our control, such as family history, genetics, and aging, most of the risk factors for developing heart or cardiovascular disease are more often than not within our control. For example, lifestyle habits and behaviors such as smoking cessation, physical activity, healthy food selection, and how we cope with mental and emotional stressors, like feeling angry, can be modified [1].

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women and the risk dramatically increases with menopause. Although there are many factors involved in the development of CVD, there is speculation that the hormonal shifts experienced during the transition into menopause may play a part. Estrogen is one of the key transitional hormones during this changeover and its low levels during menopause are strongly associated with increasing cardiovascular risk. For its role in several aspects of cardiovascular disease prevention, estradiol has been the subject of various investigations through the years.

Looking Back on 2019: Most Popular Provider Blog Posts

Fri, 03 Jan 2020 17:04:13 -0800

As we bring on the new decade full of ambition and ready for what is next to come, we take a look back at all that happened in 2019 here at ZRT. We launched serum testing and an LCMS Saliva Steroid profile, we welcomed a wonderfully talented new clinical consultant, Beth Baldwin, and exceeded 10 million tests completed worldwide! As eventful as this last year was, it didn’t slow us down from sharing all things hormones with our readers. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane to review our most popular provider blogs from 2019.

The Effects of Cannabis on Your Hormones

While cannabis is being legalized in more and more states, both the adverse and beneficial effects of its use are starting to be better understood. The active compound in cannabis, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is widely known to have effects on the brain, producing the “high” that many users are seeking. However, the other more adverse effects cannabis can have on the body are less widely known. In this blog, I want to focus mainly on how cannabis can affect your hormones, primarily through the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands, and the reproductive system.

Endocannabinoids are molecules naturally produced in the body in small amounts that act on cannabinoid receptors and play important roles in various processes. There are 2 types of cannabinoid receptors in the body, CB1 and CB2, and a few orphan receptors that also bind with the endocannabinoids. These are the same receptors that THC binds and activates (and CBD, which I won’t cover here). The ECS is involved in regulating fertility, pregnancy, appetite, pain-sensation, mood, memory, energy balance, homeostasis, and the immune system. The ECS is also responsible for “runner’s high” through spikes in endocannabinoids circulating in the blood to the brain, where it is involved in locomotor activity through interactions with the cerebellum and affects the reward center of the brain through transduction of dopamine release.

Reverse T3 – Why It’s Not Useful for Routine Thyroid Testing

When getting to the root of health issues by accurate laboratory testing of hormones and other analytes, it’s important to distinguish theories from facts and make sure that our interpretation of the science is valid and corresponds with what is seen clinically. This month, as the weather and the time of year put us in the middle of winter, let’s take a critical look at a hormone sometimes referred to as the “hibernation hormone,” reverse T3 (rT3), and how it fits into the picture of thyroid function.

Reverse T3 (3,3’,5’-triiodothyronine, rT3) is a biologically inactive metabolite of thyroxine (T4) formed by selective deiodination; the active thyroid hormone T3 is formed by removal of an iodine atom in the outer ring of T4, while rT3 is formed by removal of an iodine atom in the inner ring of T4. This deiodination is mediated by deiodinase enzymes.

Thyroid Synthesis and Selenium: A Closer Look

During the cold, rainy month of January, at least where we live in Portland, Oregon, it’s fitting to address thyroid health. As Goldilocks said of her porridge, this one’s too cold, this one’s too hot, and this one’s just right. If your body isn’t making the right amount of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), you’re likely to find yourself on either side of “just right”.

Most people who suffer from thyroid issues fall into the “too cold” category of body temperature dysregulation and just don’t make enough thyroid hormones T4 and T3, referred to as hypothyroidism. T3 action in the mitochondria increases metabolism and is responsible for heat production. Mitochondria are the power-houses or furnaces of the cell responsible for creation of energy in the form of ATP. So when T3 is low, your body temperature will be lower than normal, which is why simply taking your body temperature is a good way to determine if the thyroid bellows are adequately stoking the fire.

Gadolinium – A Toxic Rare-Earth Element That Isn’t So Rare

Gadolinium is a rare-earth heavy metal that most humans will have little exposure to. The designation of “rare-earth” element is misleading as it has a very common medical use: gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs). GBCAs were first approved in 1988 to help make diseased tissues look brighter or darker during Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). In 2017 nearly 40% of MRIs used GBCAs, and it is estimated that over 450 million GBCAs have been administered worldwide since 1988 [1]. While most gadolinium is flushed from the body following an MRI exam, new research suggests extended retention in multiple organs, leading to potential health issues.

Gadolinium is bound to a ligand (an ion or molecule that binds metals) to create the GBCA. It is believed this chelated form of gadolinium is non-toxic and has a very short half-life in the body. There are two types of GBCA; linear and macrocyclic. Macrocyclic GBCAs cage gadolinium in the ligand while linear GBCAs do not. The stability of GBCAs isn’t completely related to its structure. Typically, extra ligand needs to be added to linear GBCAs during storage to prevent the release of free gadolinium, while macrocyclic GBCA can be stored without additional ligand. Each GBCA is chosen based on the tissue or organ being examined. Macrocyclic GBCAs are excreted in urine while linear GBCAs are excreted in urine or urine/bile. GBCAs have a half-life of about 1.5 hours if renal function is normal, and around 90% of the total dose is excreted in 12 hours [2][3][4]. A single dose of GBCA contains 1-2 g of gadolinium [5].

The Effects of Cannabis - Part 2: Cannibidiol

In my previous blog, I discussed how the psychoactive component of marijuana (cannabis), mainly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can have a negative impact on your hormones. In this blog, I will delve into the world of cannabidiol (CBD), which has been making quite a buzz lately as a therapeutic panacea.

Although they are derived from the same plant and have quite similar molecular structures, CBD is very different than THC from a clinical perspective, primarily because CBD doesn’t elicit the “high”. Despite its lack of psychoactive effects, CBD has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-seizure properties and an array of other benefits for the body that I will discuss below.

Looking Back: Popular Articles for Providers in 2018

Fri, 04 Jan 2019 16:13:48 -0800

We are heading into the new year with a goal to strengthen our understanding of hormones, neurotransmitters, and heavy metals and the influence they have on our overall health and wellness. As we welcome 2019, we would like to take a moment to look back at our most popular blog posts from last year.

Neurotransmitters, Mood & the Perception of Stress

When we talk about “stress,” or allostatic load, in terms of the perception of an event, we must realize that these “events” must first be translated into neurochemical signals before they trigger the HPA axis.

Therefore, the sensitivity and outcome of translating these events (whether they are ongoing events, memories of past events, or stressful anticipation of unrealized events), is highly dependent upon signaling from other neurotransmitters. In fact, the signaling neurotransmitters that manage mood and affect often overlap with measures of HPA axis activation, and cannot be easily distinguished in some subjects [1].

While the detailed influence of neurotransmitters, such as GABA, glutamate, serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine and a host of neurosteroids, on the HPA axis is beyond the scope of this blog post, we will outline some of the fundamental activities clinicians should keep in mind when evaluating patients for HPA axis dysfunction.

The Impact of Hormones on Serotonin in Depression

Serotonin, or rather its deficiency, frequently steals the spotlight in conversations regarding depression. Initially discovered as a component of serum in 1948 to regulate vasoconstriction (serotonin = serum + tone), the role of serotonin in depressive disorders wasn't implied until a few years later. Since then, much effort has been dedicated by scientists and clinicians alike to understand the wondrous complexity of the seemingly inscrutable code that is serotonin neurotransmission. In fact, some of the major breakthroughs in psychopharmacology happened with serotonin in mind – the discovery of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) prominently expanded the therapeutic toolbox for mental health practitioners.

The appearance of SSRIs, however, was just the beginning of the arduous journey to understand and treat the intricate disorder that is depression. Providing valuable relief for some by offering mood improvement and stability, the treatment of depression has fallen short of optimal for others [1]. As brilliant research minds continue to unravel the mysteries of depression, what is becoming clearer is that depression is prolific in complexity, painting a picture of inappropriate entanglement of neural and somatic pathways as they respond to a variety of insults. It is this complexity that makes it difficult to understand where and how the intrinsic program has gone off the rails, leaving practitioners without significant leverage in the plight to increase a patient’s emotional reserve.

Mitochondria & Mental Health

Mitochondria are organelles that are present in every cell of the body except red blood cells. Probably everyone reading this learned about these little guys in high school biology, where they were described as "the energy packs of the cells."

About 20% of our body weight is mitochondria. This translates to about 250 quadrillion of these organelles. There are 37.2 trillion body cells with an average of 1 to 2000 mitochondria per cell. Sperm each have about 16 mitochondria and oocytes have 100,000 (which shows you where the power is).

The accepted theory is that mitochondria were once bacterial cells that created a commensal relationship with eukaryotic cells, and gave the eukaryotic cells the energy to become multicellular. The eukaryotes gave mitochondria more machinery and structure. Working together, multicellular organisms were able to evolve.

Heavy Metals, Nutrients & Mental Health

Influenced by our environment, we are constantly being exposed to elements, whether nutritional or toxic. They are a big contribution to the yin yang dualism of health and disease.

With heavy metals, contamination is so extensive nowadays that it is no longer a question of whether exposure took place, but rather what the level of exposure was or continues to be.

Toxicity from low levels of exposure can lead to a wide array of neurological disturbances and can be much more insidious in presentation than acute toxicity, which is, in contrast, rather obvious in its presentation. While the effects of heavy metal exposure may be superficially innocuous at first, over time the body distributes and stores heavy metals (“bioaccumulation”), and neurotoxic effects become inevitable.

The Connection Between GABA & Sleep Disturbances

Gamma-aminobutyric acid, better known as GABA, is the neurotransmitter known for its affinity for GABA receptors throughout the central nervous system (CNS). It acts to inhibit excitatory processes – whether they be normal or pathological.

It's synthesized from the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in a process that requires vitamin B6 as a cofactor. The delicate balance in the brain between GABA and glutamate is orchestrated by shuttle systems from the Krebs Cycle, the presence of NMDA and GABA receptor modulators, enzyme cofactors, and reuptake mediators.

In the rest of the body, GABA plays a myriad of important protective roles. It modulates the adrenal response to stress by acting as the gate-keeper of norepinephrine and epinephrine release (catecholamines responsible for the adrenaline surge) [1]. It regulates the activity and regeneration of β-islet cells in the pancreas which are responsible for insulin secretion and blood sugar regulation [2]. GABA made and stored in the nerves of the enteric nervous system acts to mediate the upper gastrointestinal tract’s secretion and emptying mechanisms and modulate the sensation of visceral pain there. The guts are absolutely covered in GABA receptors of all types. When synthesized in the small intestine by Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, GABA influences the HPA axis and up-regulates GABA receptor expression in the CNS, thanks to the vagus nerve [3]. Any imbalance in this body-wide system, whether it be in the CNS or in the periphery, may lead to sleep disturbances.

Looking Back: Popular Articles for Patients in 2018

Fri, 04 Jan 2019 14:44:22 -0800

We step into 2019 with open minds ready to make new discoveries to improve our overall health and wellness. But first, we would like to take a moment to look back at our most popular blogs of 2018 for patients.

PTSD and the Resilient Brain: A Symphony of Neurotransmitters and Hormones

Traumatic stressors are defined by the direct experience, witnessing of, or confrontation by an event involving actual or threatened danger, and they evoke responses that include intense fear, helplessness or horror. On the heels of the catastrophic storms, life-altering fires and manmade events, re-visiting what allows some people to bounce back more quickly than others after trauma may shed light on important, emergent assessment criteria.

More and more research has identified the alterations that stress hormones and neurotransmitters impose on brain development. In a series of revolutionary experiments, associate professor of integrative biology Daniela Kaufer, UC Berkeley, and her colleagues, discovered that chronic stress and elevated levels of cortisol can generate more overproduction of myelin-producing cells and fewer neurons than normal. Kaufer et al. published their findings in the February 11, 2014 issue of the journal Molecular Psychiatry [1]. Severe stress reactions can produce a series of neurological changes that affect the structure and function of the HPA axis and critical brain regions. These findings might provide an explanation for how chronic stress can also affect learning and memory.

Vitamin D: What Level is Normal vs Optimal?

If you have ever had your level of Vitamin D tested, depending on which lab you used, your report showing whether your level is low, normal, or high might have left you scratching your head. In fact, there are multiple agencies all with slightly different opinions on what levels are deficient, insufficient, sufficient, high, or toxic.

When testing with ZRT, you will receive a result that is reflective of your total 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D status (vitamin D2 plus Vitamin D3) in blood. This is the storage form of vitamin D, which is converted by the kidneys to the biologically active form, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.

Vitamin D3 is involved in numerous biological processes such as immune system modulation, insulin sensitivity, hormone and neurotransmitter homeostasis, and is essential for ensuring calcium absorption in the bones. Dietary sources of vitamin D include foods such as cow’s milk, fish, egg yolk, and pork. Sunlight exposure and supplements are two other main sources of vitamin D that will contribute to reaching an optimal vitamin D status for health. Those of you who are not living in a sunny climate year-round will be hard-pressed to maintain a healthy level of vitamin D by relying on sunlight alone.

Glycine – A Small Molecule with a Big Impact on Sleep

Glycine has a calming effect on the brain – it helps you wind down and prepare for sleep. Its role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter has been unfolding over many years of ongoing research efforts.

Easily one of the most versatile amino acids, glycine serves as a building block to proteins (collagen, the most abundant protein in our body, is one-third glycine), and is heavily utilized for the production of heme, DNA and RNA synthesis, glutathione formation, and for enriching the body’s capacity for methylation reactions [1][2].

People need sleep. It is our basic human need. Too many of us experience sleep problems. Laying there restless, counting sheep, watching the hostile glow of the green numbers, fearing the absence of sleep – this dreaded scenario of sleep-deprived desperation is all too familiar. Needless to say, sleep issues have become a pervasive health problem, and research shows that lack of sleep affects everything from mental competence to increased risk of chronic diseases and cancer.

New Study Links Testosterone & Desire For Luxury Goods

Testosterone, so meaningful to a man’s behavior, is the evolutionary force behind everything intrinsically “male.”

Historical stereotypes peg testosterone as the macho elixir of legendary magnitude – the “chest-thumping hormone of aggression.” New research, however, is beginning to tease out previously unknown subtleties of testosterone’s effects on behavior. Testosterone is non-trivial for social functioning – increasing levels enhance generosity [1], cooperation [2], and honesty [3], thereby emphasizing that its effects in shaping male psychological makeup are infinitely more complex than previously thought.

A new study published in Nature Communications, resulting from ongoing collaborations between ZRT Laboratory and several academic institutions, explored the effects of testosterone supplementation on young men’s preference for luxury products [4]. It turns out that men in the testosterone group had a much stronger preference for goods perceived as having higher status, compared to men that received placebo, suggesting that consumption of status goods may stem from neuroendocrine motives.

Why I’m One OB/GYN Who Is Not Prescribing the Birth Control Pill

I watch a bit of television now and again, and repeatedly see a commercial for a birth control pill. It looks quite glamorous to be taking it. Granted, at the tail end of the commercial it states many of the bad things contraceptive pills are widely recognized to cause. But the real impact of what birth control pills do to female bodies is never discussed and what is discussed is completely glossed over.

The true nature and impact of birth control pills is very concerning and prevents me from prescribing them in good conscience. All women should come to grips with the sad reality that this rampantly prescribed group of drugs can be harmful, and therefore unacceptable.

So, let’s get to the nitty gritty of what the heck are birth control pills, what are their real impact on a woman’s body, and why you might want to avoid them, if possible? I know you’ve heard them referred to as hormonal contraception, but the reality is that there’s not a drop of natural hormones found in any brand of birth control pill. Not even one drop!

Heart Healthy Holiday Recipes for Your Valentine

Wed, 14 Feb 2018 14:00:00 -0800

If you need one more recipe idea to put the finishing touches on your special valentine's dinner celebration, or just want a few extra healthy recipes to try, the ZRT marketing team has put together a short list of options that will make your loved one's heart happy.

Pomegranate Spritzers

Ingredients:

16 oz of sparkling water
16 oz pure pomegranate juice (no sugar added)
1 lime
Pomegranate seeds and lime wedges for garnish
Ice cubes
2 glasses

Instructions:

Put a few ice cubes in each glass. Then add 8oz of pomegranate juice. Pour 8oz of sparkling water over the juice, then squeeze a lime wedge over the top and stir. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and lime wedges. Serve.

Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients:

1 TB olive oil
12 stuffing mushrooms (or mushrooms with stems)
1/2 cup onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups baby spinach, cut into small pieces
1 TB balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp black pepper
Optional: 1/4 cup of low fat feta cheese

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place mushrooms on a baking sheet. Cut up 2 of the mushrooms into diced pieces. In a medium skillet add oil, onion, garlic, diced mushrooms. Saute until tender, about 8-10 minutes. Add spinach, balsamic vinegar and black pepper. Saute until wilted. Remove from heat and add the feta cheese if you'd like. Stuff the mushrooms with the mixture, placing on a baking sheet. Cook for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy!

Broiled Salmon for Two

Ingredients:

2 (6oz each) salmon fillets
2 TB non-dairy buttery spread, melted
1/2 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 TB Olive Oil
1 TB lemon juice
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp garlic salt
2 TB fresh dill, chopped
Optional: 1 TB Worcestershire sauce and 1/8 cup white wine

Creamy Greek Yogurt Dill Sauce:

1 (6 oz) container non-fat Greek yogurt
1 TB fresh dill, chopped
1 TB lemon juice
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions:

Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat broiler. Line a pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. In a small bowl, mix together: butter spread, garlic, lemon juice, black pepper, and garlic salt and optional ingredients. Place salmon skin side down on prepared pan. Rub with olive oil and broil in oven for 3 minutes. Spoon 1/3 of butter sauce onto salmon, sprinkle with evenly with 2 tablespoons of dill and broil for an additional 3 minutes. Turn pan and spoon rest of butter sauce onto salmon, broil until salmon flakes easily with fork. About 3 additional minutes.

To make the dill sauce, combine all ingredients in bowl, chill and serve on prepared broiled salmon.

Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients:

2 lb asparagus, tough ends trimmed and stems peeled
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges

Instructions:

Position rack in the upper third of an oven and preheat to 450°F. Arrange the asparagus on a baking sheet. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic and lemon zest. Brush the asparagus evenly with the oil, turning spears to coat well, and season with salt and pepper. Arrange lemon wedges around asparagus. Roast until the asparagus is tender and turning golden, 6-8 minutes. Transfer the asparagus to a warmed serving platter and drizzle with the pan juices.

Flourless Chocolate Beet Cake

We know this one isn't exactly healthy, but chocolate cake on Valentine's Day is a must!

Ingredients:

9 oz bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter
1/4 cup olive oil
6 eggs, separated
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup puréed fresh beets or 1 (15-ounce) can, drained and puréed
3/4 cup almond meal (or almond flour)
2 TB powered sugar

Glaze (optional):

4 oz semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 TB butter

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. To prepare cake, combine chocolate, butter and olive oil in a bowl set over simmering water. Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth, then let cool to room temperature. Whisk together egg yolks and granulated sugar until light and well-blended. Add cooled chocolate to egg mixture, whisking well. Stir in the puréed beets and almond meal. With an electric mixer, beat egg whites with powdered sigar until soft peaks form. Fold egg whites into chocolate mixture until just combined. Pour mixture into 6 cups. Bake about 15 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool, and chill.

To prepare glaze, combine chocolate, cream and butter and microwave on low for 30 seconds. Stir and microwave another 30 seconds or until chocolate is melted. Pour over tops of cakes. Chill until ready to serve. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

More ZRT Recipes

Looking Back: Popular Articles for Providers in 2017

Fri, 05 Jan 2018 10:16:00 -0800

As we step into 2018, ready to deepen our understanding of the critical balance of hormones and neurotransmitters, as well as the role of elements in optimal health, we wanted to take a brief moment to reflect on the top stories of the past year.

Following is a round-up of 2017's most popular posts for practitioners.

The Distinction Between DHEA and DHEA-S & Why Both Are Important For a Healthy Brain

Everything we do, feel, think – it all starts with the brain. A balanced, healthy brain helps lay the essential foundation for optimal wellbeing. A small but significant aspect of brain health is regulated by a specific class of steroid molecules called neurosteroids.

That the brain is a steroidogenic organ is widely accepted, and neurosteroids are woven into its very fabric. In fact, the term “neurosteroid” refers to cholesterol-derived steroid compounds that play critical roles in the nervous system - its development, maintenance and survival. “Neurosteroids: of the nervous system, by the nervous system, for the nervous system” as Baulieu said a decade and a half following the remarkable discovery of the very first neurosteroid - DHEA-S [1] [2].

The ZRT Laboratory Blog

Looking Back on 2019: Most Popular Webinars

Related Resources

Looking Back on 2019: Most Popular Patient Blog Posts

Looking Back on 2019: Most Popular Provider Blog Posts

Looking Back: Popular Articles for Providers in 2018

Looking Back: Popular Articles for Patients in 2018

Heart Healthy Holiday Recipes for Your Valentine

Pomegranate Spritzers

Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms

Broiled Salmon for Two

Roasted Asparagus

Flourless Chocolate Beet Cake

More ZRT Recipes

Looking Back: Popular Articles for Providers in 2017

The Distinction Between DHEA and DHEA-S & Why Both Are Important For a Healthy Brain

Finally Focused: Mineral Imbalances & ADHD (Part 1: Zinc Deficiency & Copper Excess)

Re-assessing the Notion of "Pregnenolone Steal"

Avoiding 3 Common Interpretation Pitfalls for Salivary Cortisol Tests

How Stress Caused My Cancer

Looking Back: Popular Articles for Patients in 2017

Endocrine Disruptors: What They Are & How To Avoid Them

A Dynamic Duo: When to Test Neurotransmitters with Sex Hormones

Shorter Days: A SAD Pattern

Does Following a Gluten-Free, Vegetarian or Vegan Diet Result in Increased Heavy Metals Intake?

Cortisol Patterns For Graveyard (Shift) Workers

Healthy & Hearty Holiday Feasting

Fresh Green Bean Casserole

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Pears

Tangy Tomato Dip

More ZRT Recipes

Brussels Sprouts & Healthy Estrogen Metabolism

Brussels Sprouts vs. Bad Estrogens

The Pathway to Good Estrogens

Looking Back: Popular Provider Blog Posts of 2016

The Cortisol Awakening Response in Addressing Adrenal Function

The Birth Control Pill Coin Flip – Heads or Tails?

On Prostate Cancer Prevention – Identifying Areas of Susceptibility

Hyperinsulinemia vs Hyperglycemia - the story of PCOS and Obesity

Determining the Functional Causes of Hypothyroid Symptoms

Looking Back: Patient Blog Posts of 2016

Are Heavy Metals In Lipstick Making Us Sick?

FDA Doesn't Regulate Cosmetics

Fermented Drinks – A Fun Way to Feed Your Gut Microbiome!

Lead Poisoning - Is Your Child at Risk? (Plus 10 Need-to-Know Facts)

New Research Shows Natural Progesterone Can Help Treat Breast Cancer (Part 1)

What is Estrogen Dominance?

The Problem

Causes

Balancing Estrogen

Why Test Hormones

Benefits

Treating Patients With Hashimoto's Disease: Your Questions Answered

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Long Commutes and Cortisol Levels

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Evaluation of the Iodine Loading Test: Urine Iodine Excretion Kinetics

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How to Get Enough Iodine through Your Diet

Why the Need for Iodine?

Dietary Sources of Iodine in Micrograms:

References:

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5 Tips for A Healthy & Stress Free Thanksgiving

1. Re-evaluate the “rules”

2. Accept help

3. Eat a healthy snack

4. Take a time out

5. Remember to exercise

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