🩸🔍 What Your Blood is Telling You: The Overlooked Signals of Health and Performance

Q: What drew you to blood chemistry as a tool for performance and wellbeing?
Anthony: What really drew me into functional blood chemistry was my love for accurate data and the ability to take the guesswork out of someone’s health journey to create something that specifically works for them.

Q: For someone who’s never had a detailed blood analysis, what’s the biggest “aha!” moment they usually experience?
Anthony: I think the big “aha” moment for someone who’s never done functional blood chemistry before usually comes from how it offers a different lens from standard medical interpretations. While standard pathology is essential for diagnosing or ruling out disease, a functional nutrition lens looks at whether markers are within ranges that support optimal wellness. When someone sees what the optimal ranges should be and where they’re currently trending, they gain a much clearer picture of how their body may be functioning. That clarity and level of detail often creates a big shift in understanding

Q: Can you share a common imbalance or marker that surprises people and what it actually means?
Anthony: One of the most common trends I see relates to gut health, particularly when markers like albumin and globulin are lower than optimal. This may reflect challenges with protein digestion in the upper digestive tract, which could be linked to things like low stomach acid, bacterial overgrowth (e.g. H. Pylori) or general digestive stress. It’s also common to see lower levels of minerals such as iron, phosphorus, or zinc, which might suggest the body isn’t absorbing nutrients efficiently or that intake could be improved. When patterns like these show up together, they may indicate a broader digestive imbalance worth exploring further.

Q: How do you blend blood chemistry insights with movement, mindset, and nutrition coaching?
Anthony: The insights I gain from functional blood chemistry allow me to tailor recommendations to both a client’s physiological needs and their lifestyle preferences. I look at key markers to help optimise macro- and micronutrient intake, support potential imbalances with targeted nutrition or supplementation, and assess six main systems: gut health, blood sugar regulation, hydration, hormones, detoxification, and nutrient/mineral status. I prioritise the area that will have the biggest ripple effect across the others. For example, when we support gut health, we often see improvements in blood sugar control, nutrient absorption, and even detoxification, simply by addressing that one foundation.

When someone sees exactly where their body might need support, it creates real clarity around what to prioritise. That clarity often boosts motivation, because they’re no longer guessing or trying to do everything at once, they know what to focus on and why it matters.

When it comes to movement, I combine insights from genetic testing (where applicable) with biomechanics assessments to personalise training. Their exercise plan, including type and intensity, is aligned to support their primary area of focus. For instance, certain training styles can be more beneficial for blood sugar balance or gut health, so we ensure movement choices are working with their body, not against it.

Q: What’s one small step you recommend for someone wanting to tune into their body’s signals?
Anthony: A really simple way to start tuning into your body is by tracking your resting heart rate in the morning. Most people have a digital device that can do this, but if not, you can manually take your pulse for one minute as soon as you wake up. Over time, this helps you establish a personal baseline. If your resting heart rate starts to trend higher than usual, it may be a sign that your body is under stress, whether from overtraining, lack of recovery, poor sleep, or emotional stress. It’s a small habit that can offer surprisingly useful insights into how well your body is coping and recovering.