Albumin

Why is Albumin important for your Healthspan?

‍Albumin levels serve as a key indicator of your liver's health and overall nutritional status. Healthy albumin levels reflect proper liver function and adequate protein intake, both of which are fundamental for maintaining muscle mass, supporting robust immune function, and facilitating tissue repair. Consistently low albumin levels can suggest issues with liver function, kidney problems, or malnutrition, all of which can significantly impact your long-term vitality, resilience, and overall capacity to live a healthy, active life.

‍What is Albumin?

Albumin is the primary protein found in human blood plasma, synthesized almost exclusively by the liver. It performs several critical functions within the body. Its most important role is to maintain oncotic pressure, which is the pressure that helps keep fluid within the blood vessels and prevents it from leaking into surrounding tissues, thereby preventing swelling. Beyond fluid regulation, albumin also acts as a crucial transport vehicle, binding to and carrying a wide variety of substances through the bloodstream, including hormones, fatty acids, bilirubin, drugs, and various minerals like calcium. Its ability to transport these diverse molecules makes it vital for their distribution to cells and their subsequent metabolism or excretion.

‍How do we take action?

If albumin levels are found to be outside the healthy range, one should work with a healthcare provider to investigate potential underlying causes, which could include assessing liver health, kidney function, and dietary protein intake. Strategies to optimize albumin levels often involve dietary adjustments to ensure adequate protein consumption and addressing any underlying liver or kidney conditions. Regular monitoring of albumin helps ensure the body's essential functions are well-supported, contributing to overall health and well-being.

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‍Additional resources

Gounden V, Vashisht R, Jialal I. Hypoalbuminemia. [Updated 2022 Aug 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526080/

Levitt, D. G., & Levitt, M. D. (2016). Human serum albumin homeostasis: a new look at the roles of synthesis, catabolism, renal and gastrointestinal excretion, and the clinical value of serum albumin measurements. International journal of general medicine, 9, 229–255. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S102819

Fanali, G., di Masi, A., Trezza, V., Marino, M., Fasano, M., & Ascenzi, P. (2012). Human serum albumin: from bench to bedside. Molecular aspects of medicine, 33(3), 209–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mam.2011.12.002

Gom, I., Fukushima, H., Shiraki, M., Miwa, Y., Ando, T., Takai, K., & Moriwaki, H. (2007). Relationship between serum albumin level and aging in community-dwelling self-supported elderly population. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology, 53(1), 37–42. https://doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.53.37

Rothschild, M. A., Oratz, M., & Schreiber, S. S. (1988). Serum albumin. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.), 8(2), 385–401. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.1840080234

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