Marla Ahlgrimm: What Is A Basic Metabolic Panel?

Most of us have had our blood drawn at some point in our lives. But, Marla Ahlgrimm says we often don’t question what our healthcare providers are looking for, we just close our eyes, grit our teeth, and let them take the blood. 

 

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, the most common blood draw is for a basic metabolic panel. This is a simple examination of your blood that takes a look at eight different substances. Your healthcare provider will measure glucose to check that your body is getting enough (but not too much) sugar to ensure that your brain and body can function correctly. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that a basic metabolic panel also looks for calcium, a crucial mineral. If your blood does not contain enough calcium, you may have difficulty clotting during an injury. Lesser-known but equally important is blood urea nitrogen, also known as BUN. This is a waste product that’s removed from the blood by the kidneys. 

 

A basic metabolic panel further measures electrolytes, including chloride, bicarbonate, potassium, and sodium. 

Are You Allergic To Henna? | Marla Ahlgrimm

As winter fades into spring and spring moves in the summer, more and more women will look for ways to enhance their increasingly swimsuited bodies. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, one way that women do this is by using henna tattoos. Unfortunately, some henna body decorations can cause unwelcome side-effects. 

 

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, henna is a type of coloring, which is actually only approved for hair dye, that many people use on the body to create a temporary “tattoo.” Most henna tattoos have other dyes and colors added to them to create a brown, red, or black tint. While these can make for a more attractive design on the skin, many women are allergic to certain components.