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. 2023 Mar 28;13(4):594.
doi: 10.3390/jpm13040594.

LIFEHOUSE's Functional Nutrition Examination (Physical Exam, Anthropometrics, and Selected Biomarkers) Informs Personalized Wellness Interventions

Michael Stone  1   2   3 , Dan Lukaczer  2 , Christopher R D'Adamo  2   4 , Nicole Dotson  2 , Andrey Volkov  5 , Deanna Minich  2   6 , Dina Metti  7 , Michelle Leary  8 , Monique Class  2   9 , Malisa Carullo  10 , Erik Lundquist  11 , Brent Eck  10 , Jose Ordovas  12 , Joseph Lamb  3 , Jeffrey Bland  13
Affiliations

LIFEHOUSE's Functional Nutrition Examination (Physical Exam, Anthropometrics, and Selected Biomarkers) Informs Personalized Wellness Interventions

Michael Stone et al. J Pers Med. .

Abstract

Each individual has a unique and interacting set of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that are reflected in their physical exam and laboratory biomarkers and significantly impact their experience of health. Patterns of nutrient deficiency signs and biomarker levels below health-promoting thresholds have been identified in national nutrition surveys. However, identifying these patterns remains a challenge in clinical medicine for many reasons, including clinician training and education, clinical time restraints, and the belief that these signs are both rare and recognizable only in cases of severe nutritional deficiencies. With an increased interest in prevention and limited resources for comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, a functional nutrition evaluation may augment patient-centered screening evaluations and personalized wellness programs. During LIFEHOUSE, we have documented physical exam, anthropometric, and biomarker findings that may increase the recognition of these wellness-challenging patterns in a population of 369 adult employees working in two occupational areas: administrative/sales and manufacturing/warehouse. Distinct and significant physical exam differences and constellations of biomarker abnormalities were identified. We present these patterns of physical exam findings, anthropometrics, and advanced biomarkers to assist clinicians in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions that may stem the loss of function that precedes the development of the non-communicable chronic diseases of aging.

Keywords: LIFEHOUSE; biomarkers; functional medicine; nutrient deficiency; nutrient insufficiency; nutrients; pattern recognition; personalized lifestyle medicine; physical examination; ‘N-of-1’ trials.

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Conflict of interest statement

M.S. is a consultant to Metagenics, Inc. A.V. is an employee of Bennett Data Sciences, which had a contractual agreement with Metagenics during the Survey. D.M. (Deanna Minich) is a consultant to Metagenics, Inc. D.M. (Dina Metti) was an employee of Metagenics during the Survey. M.L. is a consultant to Metagenics, Inc. M.C. (Monique Class) is a consultant to Metagenics, Inc. M.C. (Malisa Carullo) is an employee of Metagenics. E.L. is a co-owner of Personalized Medicine, Inc., and a consultant to Metagenics Inc. B.E. is the former president, CEO, and board-member of Metagenics, Inc. J.O. is a consultant for Metagenics, Inc. J.L. is a co-owner of Personalized Medicine, Inc., and a consultant to Metagenics Inc., and to Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc.

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