Brad Talks Testosterone Testing (And Other Important Blood Tests)

Let&rsquo;s talk about testosterone testing and other important blood tests you can track for your overall health, wellness, vitality, and longevity. I recorded this show on the occasion of my first visit to the blood lab after signing up for Vitals Vault&rsquo;s premium program, and I talk about some of my favorite markers while pedaling home from the lab. I focus a lot on testosterone because I believe it&rsquo;s a great proxy for overall wellness, vitality, recovery, and resilience to stress. I share my own numbers, which have ranged from 562 to 1,004, and explain why I&rsquo;m so intent on keeping testosterone levels high as I age. I also get into the roughly 1% annual decline in average male testosterone levels since the 1980s, vitamin D and the widespread fear of the sun, why looking beyond LDL can give you a better picture of your lipid panel, and the lifestyle practices that can help optimize testosterone&mdash;from sleep and diet to avoiding chronic cardio, lifting heavy things, sprinting once in a while, and even maintaining a winning relationship. &nbsp; TIMESTAMPS: Testosterone testing is the best proxy for your overall state of wellness, vitality, and recovery or resilience to stress.&nbsp; [00:51] Brad checks his testosterone level frequently because it is his way of monitoring the stress impact from his training. [5:41] Triglycerides to HDL ratio is a premier indicator of your heart disease risk factor. It is much better than looking at total LDL cholesterol.&nbsp; [06:42] In 2017 they lowered the ideal level of testosterone due to the widespread decline of testosterone among males around the world. [09:02] If you are not optimizing your sleep, including down and rest time, you cannot reduce your stress. [12:13] Get the junk out of your diet. If you are in that chronic cardio pattern in your exercise, you may be tanking your testosterone.&nbsp; [12:37] If there is arguing and other dysfunctional patterns in your relationship, it will tank your testosterone as well as shorten your lifespan. [13:34] Vitamin D comes from sun exposure more than from your diet or pills. [14:30] &nbsp; LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! B.rad Superdrink &ndash; Hydrates 28% Faster than Water&mdash;Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery NEW: B.rad Real Rad Gummies - Creatine + Nootropics for Focus, Motivation, Performance, and Recovery! Brad&rsquo;s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast &ndash; All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Vitals Vault The Vitamin D. Solution &nbsp; We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&amp;A shows, emailed to podcast@bradventures.com. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn&rsquo;t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won&rsquo;t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: Recover Faster:&nbsp;<a href="ht