How Diet Affects Your Lab Test Results
How Diet Affects Your Lab Test Results
Many people don’t realize that the food they eat the day before a test can significantly affect the results. Poor preparation may lead to inaccurate values and incorrect interpretation.
🔹 What aspects of your diet influence results?
1. Glucose and insulin levels
Sweets, juices, bread, and fast food spike blood sugar and distort results.
2. Lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides)
Fatty foods raise lipid levels and affect the accuracy of the lipid panel.
3. Liver enzymes (ALT, AST)
Alcohol and heavy meals overload the liver and increase enzyme levels.
4. Vitamins and minerals
Coffee, supplements, and high-protein foods may alter iron, B12, magnesium, and other markers.
🔹 How to prepare properly?
Fast for 8–12 hours
Avoid alcohol for 48 hours
Limit fatty and sugary foods the day before
Drink only water in the morning
Proper preparation ensures accurate results and effective treatment.
