If I could recommend just one blood test to help predict your future risk of chronic disease, it probably wouldn’t be cholesterol.

Nor would it be blood sugar.
It might surprise you to learn that one of the most powerful predictors of long-term health is a blood marker that most people—and even many physicians—have never heard of: galectin-3.
Why?
Because galectin-3 often reflects exposure to one of the body’s most potent drivers of chronic inflammation: a bacterial toxin called lipopolysaccharide, or LPS
.
The Hidden Toxin Most People Never Hear About
Over the past several years, we’ve heard a great deal about “gut health.” While social media has certainly generated its share of misinformation, it has also helped people recognize an important truth: what happens inside the digestive tract affects virtually every organ in the body.

In fact, I’ve seen women struggling with infertility become pregnant within weeks of restoring healthy intestinal function.
One of the reasons is that the intestine isn’t just a digestive tube—it’s a barrier. It determines what gets into your bloodstream and what stays out.

One of the substances that should stay out is LPS.

What Is LPS?
LPS forms part of the outer coating of a group of bacteria called gram-negative bacteria.

Some of these bacteria normally live in our intestines. Others cause infections. Even the plaque on your teeth contains large amounts of LPS—which, unfortunately, you swallow every day.

Normally this isn’t a major problem because a healthy intestinal lining keeps LPS where it belongs.

But when that barrier becomes damaged, trouble begins.

When the Gut Barrier Breaks Down

All of these can contribute to intestinal permeability, commonly called leaky gut.
When the intestinal lining becomes more permeable, substances that were never meant to enter the bloodstream suddenly gain access—including LPS.

When massive amounts of LPS enter the bloodstream, the results can be catastrophic, leading to severe infection, organ failure, and septic shock.

More commonly, however, people experience years of low-level exposure. That’s where the real danger lies.

Chronic Inflammation Without Feeling Sick
Small amounts of LPS entering the bloodstream day after day can quietly fuel chronic inflammation throughout the body.
Research has linked elevated LPS activity to conditions such as:

Like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, galectin-3 doesn’t diagnose a specific disease. Instead, it provides insight into processes occurring beneath the surface—often years before symptoms appear.

What’s Your Level?
Most people know their cholesterol.
Many know their blood sugar.
Very few know their galectin-3.
Perhaps they should.
If your galectin-3 level is elevated—above 17 ng/mL—it suggests your body may be experiencing significantly more inflammation than it should. More importantly, it provides a baseline you can use to measure your progress as underlying causes are identified and addressed.

The Value of Knowing
One of the greatest advantages of modern medicine is that we can often detect problems long before they become diseases.
At Prestige Wellness Institute, our goal isn’t simply to diagnose illness after it appears. It’s to identify the hidden factors that move the body toward disease—and help patients reverse those trends whenever possible.

Galectin-3 is one of the most useful tools we have for doing exactly that.

You can’t change a number you don’t know.

But once you know your level, you have the opportunity to understand why it may be elevated and begin taking meaningful steps toward reducing inflammation, restoring gut health, and protecting your long-term health.

For many people struggling with addiction, the hardest step is asking for help. At the Moab Regional Recovery Center, people are met with compassion, respect, and expert care.

As Medical Director Dr. Paula Cook explains, "Recovery begins with trust. When people feel safe and heard, healing can start."

Substance use disorder affects people from all walks of life, along with the families, friends, and communities that care about them. It is a medical condition—not a moral failing—and recovery is possible with the right support.

The Recovery Center provides comprehensive outpatient treatment for alcohol, opioid, and other substance use disorders, allowing people to continue working, caring for their families, and living at home while receiving care. Services include medication-assisted treatment, individual and group counseling, peer support, outpatient detox services, and care for individuals with both substance use and mental health conditions.

The Recovery Center is one of the few rural programs in Utah that offers methadone alongside other FDA-approved medications such as Suboxone and Vivitrol. Receiving this care locally means residents don't have to travel long distances for treatment, removing one of the biggest barriers to recovery in rural communities.

No two recovery journeys look the same. Some people are ready to make a change today. Others may simply be asking questions or supporting a loved one. Wherever someone is on that journey, the experienced staff at the Recovery Center meet them with understanding—not judgment.

More people than ever are reaching out for help. In 2025, more than 350 individuals received treatment through the Recovery Center, accounting for over 3,500 patient visits—a 47 percent increase from the previous year. As more people seek help earlier, they can stay connected to treatment and build healthier futures.

Beyond treatment, the center offers weekly recovery activities, including peer support groups, mindfulness and meditation, and other opportunities to build connection and support long-term recovery. Staff also provide overdose prevention education, naloxone training, and support for individuals reentering the community after involvement with the justice system.

When to Seek Help You don't have to wait for a crisis before seeking help. Early treatment often leads to better outcomes. The Recovery Center treats alcohol, opioid, and other substance use disorders and also provides care for people experiencing both addiction and mental health challenges. Services are individualized, trauma-informed, and provided in a confidential, welcoming environment.

How to Get Help The Moab Regional Recovery Center is located at 382 W. Care Campus Drive in Moab. To learn more, ask questions, or schedule an appointment, call 435-719-3970. Whether you're seeking help for yourself, a family member, or a friend, the Recovery Center team is here to answer questions and help you take the next step.

Every recovery story strengthens our community. When people have access to compassionate, evidence-based care close to home, recovery becomes possible, families grow stronger, and hope reaches far beyond the individual seeking help.