A blog to help you optimize your full-body and life performance

As the second chapter of our three-part National Heart Health Month series, we're talking about a topic that can sometimes confuse even the best of us: the difference between fat in our diets and fat in our bodies (and the implications of both on our health).

February is National Heart Health Month. So, we thought we'd do our part in spreading awareness by bringing you a three-part heart health blog series. First up? The ever-ominous "total cholesterol."

As one of the most ordered lab tests, total cholesterol can provide a high level glance at how your body is handling lipids, or fats. According to the CDC, roughly nine percent of all doctor’s visits include a cholesterol test.¹ So, how should you interpret your total cholesterol value? Is the whole greater than the sum of its parts?

We all know how the commercials go: 1) a pair of bathtubs face the sunset (which we have so many questions about), 2) a deep voice-over warns us about erectile dysfunction’s ability to ruin the perfect moment, 3) you pray that you won’t end up a slave to the blue pill. But you don’t have to be a silver fox like the ones on TV to suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED). In fact, it’s more common in younger men than you’d expect.

A study from 2013 found that 1-in-4 men seeking treatment for ED were under the age of 40.¹ We're guessing you don’t want to be on the wrong side of that statistic, so keep reading – we’ve gathered some valuable information about how to avoid and/or counteract its onset.

The word metabolism is thrown around quite a bit. But if we asked you to explain what it is and how it relates to your overall health, could you?

If not, don’t worry; you're not alone. That's why we're sharing the details you need to know about all things metabolism. And with some of our newest recommendations, InsideTracker can help you understand what the word really means, how it ties into your overall wellbeing, and how to optimize it.

Did you know October 29^th is National Oatmeal Day? Well, with these recipes in hand, you’ll be well-prepared to celebrate in style with 5 distinctly delicious varieties.

It’s no secret that we love oatmeal at InsideTracker. It really is the ultimate “superfood” when it comes to your metabolism. Packed with soluble fiber, the impact on glucose and cholesterol can’t be beat!

Soluble fiber is a key factor of metabolic health. Unfortunately, it has been thrown to the wayside recently with the re-emergence of low-carb diet trends such as the Paleo Diet. But beware: its absence has a number of adverse effects.

If you could tap into >40,000 calories of your fat fuel during endurance exercise instead of relying on your maximum 2,000 calorie storage of carbohydrate fuel, would you do it?

What if it meant no more liquid gels, sugar-containing sports drinks or bananas to give you that energy boost when you're on the verge of exhaustion? If LeBron James did it. Was it really a wise choice based on current science?

Joshua Quarles is on the move. As an avid cyclist and downhill skier, he has never been at a loss for athletic pursuits. Even though he constantly monitors his diet, Quarles, who is the CFO of a community bank in Montana, was still worried about his health. With a family history of high cholesterol and elevated blood pressure, Quarles wanted to make sure that his diet was as rigorous as his cycling regimen.

To eat or not to eat the chicken’s egg yolk, that is the question.

At least it’s our question. While Mr. Shakespeare may disagree, that is the question that has fueled the egg controversy for the past 10 years. Until recently, Americans were recommended to limit their consumption of eggs, particularly the fatty, cholesterol-containing egg yolks. But current research indicates that these recommendations may be outdated. Read on to find out if you should swap your egg white omelet for a fluffy yellow one.

Suzie Snyder joins the ranks of world-class athletes like Sarah Haskins, Jarrod Shoemaker, and Ruben Sanca who have used the InsideTracker program to increase their speed and improve their strength. As a professional off-road triathlete, Snyder is no slouch when it comes to her physical fitness. In addition to getting her certification as a strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS), she has a master’s degree in exercise science and a deep knowledge base of human physiology and nutrition. However, she wasn’t sure about the best approach to take in improving her physical performance.