While blood cells are the driving force behind a healthy immune system. But a low white blood cell count doesn't necessarily mean there's anything to worry about. In fact, white blood cell measurements from blood tests are best considered in context of your historic data and whether recent tests deviate from your normal. Here's a comprehensive overview of white blood cells, the reasons they might be low, and how to support their production.

With the new year approaching, weight loss resolutions are yet again on the horizon. But truth be told, we're all about resolutions—whatever the starting date. Every day is a great opportunity to take control of your well-being! So if losing weight is a focus of yours—either beginning now or with the new year—set yourself up for success by taking a scientific approach to weight loss, based on the best data available: your blood. Here's how InsideTracker does just that.

  Afraid that your naps or sleeping in on the weekend may not be good for you? Well, not only can they help you make up for lost sleep, but research suggests that they may also be beneficial for cognitive function, memory, and (perhaps counterintuitively) help you fall asleep at night. The next time someone comments on your napping habit or forces you up early on a Saturday morning, you’ll be able to back up your extra shut eye with science!

As we’ve talked about before, birth control can have some drastic effects on blood biomarkers including sex hormones. If you’ve received your blood test results and been concerned about some elevated (or low) sex hormone markers like DHEAS and SHBG, it’s important to consider how lifestyle factors, like whether you're taking hormonal contraceptives, may play a role. Here's how birth control can affect blood levels of various hormones – and the implications those imbalances have on your health.

Like many other biomarkers, age is a contributing factor in how our sex hormone levels change. Males experience a more gradual change throughout their lifetime, while women have a more abrupt change during the years leading up to menopause. Although we can’t stop the biological clock that dictates some of the changes to our hormone levels, we can alter some lifestyle factors in order to slow the process.

A common misconception about holiday meals is that we should starve ourselves before and after them. This isn’t true! In fact, we should try to stick to our usual routines as much as possible leading up to a big holiday feast and jump right back into them after it. Under eating before or after the meal can do more harm than the large meal itself.

Ok, we know we talk about oatmeal around here quite a bit, but it's for good reason! Not only is oatmeal one of the best ways to start your day, aside from having someone else make breakfast for you, it's also among the easiest. Here, we'll share yet another health benefit of starting your day with a delicious bowl of oatmeal, lowering your cholesterol levels one spoonful at a time.

The liver is the main “chemist” in our body. It is the primary location for the conversion of one compound to another. Because of this, the liver can be thought of as the body’s detoxifier. If you have a liver, there is no need to “detox” through juice cleanses or lengthy fasts. Your liver does that for you every day.