Functional Testing is a fantastic way to gain insights into your overall health and to identify specific imbalances or dysfunctions in bodily systems that may be impacting nutrition and wellbeing.
These tests can encompass a wide range of parameters, such as hormone levels, gut health, food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, epigenetic DNA sequencing and metabolic functions.
Working from these functional tests and any tests you have had done via your GP, I can personalise dietary recommendations and create targeted protocols to address specific health issues or optimize your nutritional intake based on your unique biological makeup.
Here are examples of some of the most popular:
Comprehensive Stool Test
A comprehensive stool test, often used in nutritional functional testing, is a sophisticated analysis of a person's stool sample to assess various aspects of digestive health.
This test provides detailed information about the composition of the gut microbiome, digestive function, the presence of pathogens, inflammation markers, and the overall health of the gastrointestinal tract.
Key components evaluated in a comprehensive stool test may include:
1. Gut microbiome composition: Identifies the types and quantities of beneficial bacteria, potentially harmful bacteria, fungi, parasites, and yeast present in the gut.
2. Digestive function markers: Measures levels of enzymes, such as elastase, that indicate the body's ability to break down and absorb nutrients.
3. Inflammatory markers: Assesses markers such as calprotectin and lactoferrin to detect inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, which may indicate conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
4. Intestinal health markers: Evaluates factors like short-chain fatty acids and secretory IgA, providing insights into gut health and the integrity of the intestinal lining.
By analyzing these components, I can gain valuable insights into your digestive health, identify imbalances, assess the presence of infections or inflammation, and develop targeted dietary and lifestyle interventions to support gut health and overall well-being.
Organic Acids Test
OAT Testing
An OAT (Organic Acids Test) is used as a diagnostic tool to assess metabolic functions and identify imbalances within the body.
The OAT evaluates the levels of various organic compounds excreted in urine, providing insights into metabolic processes, nutrient status, detoxification pathways, and the presence of microbial overgrowth or dysbiosis in the gut.
In clinical practice, nutritionists utilize OAT for several purposes:
1. Assessment of Nutrient Status: The test can reveal deficiencies or insufficiencies in nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, by measuring specific metabolites related to nutrient metabolism.
2. Detection of Gut Microbiome Imbalances: OAT can identify markers indicative of imbalances in gut bacteria, yeast, and fungal overgrowth, providing insights into digestive health and potential issues like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or candida.
3. Evaluation of Detoxification Pathways: It assesses markers related to detoxification processes, such as phase I and phase II liver detoxification, identifying potential issues in the body's ability to eliminate toxins.
4. Assessment of Energy Production and Metabolism: By analyzing organic acids, it can provide information on mitochondrial function and energy production, offering insights into overall metabolic health.
Using the information gathered from an OAT, I am able tailor completely bespoke dietary interventions, recommend targeted supplementation, and suggest lifestyle modifications to support optimal metabolic function, improve gut health, address nutrient deficiencies, and enhance the body's ability to detoxify, promoting overall well-being.
Functional Blood Testing
Functional blood testing goes beyond what traditional blood analysis typically covers by delving deeper into specific biomarkers and functional aspects of health.
Unlike traditional blood tests that focus on diagnosing diseases or identifying basic health markers, functional blood testing examines a broader range of biomarkers related to various physiological functions. This can include markers for inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal balance, nutrient status, digestive health, immune function, and detoxification pathways.
Functional blood testing aims to identify imbalances or dysfunctions in the body before they manifest as specific diseases or health issues.
By analyzing these specific markers, I can create more personalized and targeted interventions to optimize health, prevent illnesses, or address underlying imbalances that might not be apparent through traditional blood analysis alone.
The DUTCH test is a type of advanced hormone test used in functional medicine. It stands for "Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones," and it provides a comprehensive analysis of hormone levels and their metabolites.
Unlike traditional blood or saliva hormone tests that offer a snapshot of hormone levels at a specific moment, the DUTCH test utilizes dried urine samples collected over a 24-hour period.
This test assesses various hormones, including cortisol, sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), and their metabolites, as well as markers for adrenal function and neurotransmitter metabolites. It offers insights into hormone imbalances, adrenal health, estrogen metabolism, and how hormones are processed in the body.
The DUTCH test is often favored by healthcare practitioners and nutritionists practicing functional medicine because it provides a more detailed and comprehensive understanding of hormone levels and their metabolites, allowing me to create personalized treatment plans for hormonal imbalances and related health issues.
A Hormone Panel
A hormone panel used in nutritional therapy typically includes an analysis of various hormones and their levels in the body.
This panel aims to provide insights into the balance, function, and interactions of different hormones crucial for overall health and well-being.
Key hormones often included in a hormone panel for nutritional therapy may encompass:
1. Sex Hormones: Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels are assessed, as imbalances in these hormones can impact reproductive health, mood, energy levels, and metabolism.
2. Thyroid Hormones: Tests for thyroid hormones like TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), T3 (triiodothyronine), and T4 (thyroxine) to evaluate thyroid function, which influences metabolism, energy levels, and mood.
3. Adrenal Hormones: Cortisol levels are checked to assess adrenal function and stress response. Imbalances in cortisol can affect energy, stress resilience, and sleep patterns.
4. Insulin and Blood Sugar: Markers related to insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation, such as fasting glucose and insulin levels, might be included to evaluate metabolic health.
5. Other Hormones: Depending on the individual's symptoms and health concerns, other hormones like DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), melatonin, or specific markers related to reproductive health might also be tested.
Nutritional therapy uses these hormone panels to identify hormone imbalances or dysfunctions that might be contributing to health issues. By understanding an individual's hormone profile, I can develop targeted dietary and lifestyle interventions to support hormonal balance and overall well-being.
Epigenetic DNA Testing
Functional epigenetic DNA testing in nutritional therapy assesses specific genetic variations (SNPs - Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) that can influence how genes are expressed and interact with nutritional and environmental factors.
These tests examine genetic variations associated with various metabolic pathways, nutrient metabolism, detoxification processes, and other physiological functions.
These tests can provide insights into:
1. Nutrient Metabolism: Genetic variations related to how the body processes and utilizes certain vitamins (like B vitamins or folate), minerals, and antioxidants. This information helps in personalizing dietary recommendations to address potential nutrient deficiencies or inefficiencies.
2. Detoxification Pathways: Identification of genetic variants impacting the body's detoxification processes, such as the methylation pathway and the ability to metabolize toxins or environmental pollutants. This knowledge can guide strategies to support optimal detoxification through diet and lifestyle modifications.
3. Inflammatory Responses: Genetic markers associated with inflammation and immune function, which can help tailor dietary approaches to manage inflammation and promote better immune health.
By analyzing these genetic variations, I can create bespoke dietary and lifestyle protocols that take into account an individual's unique genetic predispositions.
This approach aims to optimize nutrition, support metabolic pathways, and minimize the potential impact of genetic variations on health outcomes.
The DUTCH test is a type of advanced hormone test used in functional medicine. It stands for "Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones," and it provides a comprehensive analysis of hormone levels and their metabolites.
Unlike traditional blood or saliva hormone tests that offer a snapshot of hormone levels at a specific moment, the DUTCH test utilizes dried urine samples collected over a 24-hour period.
This test assesses various hormones, including cortisol, sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), and their metabolites, as well as markers for adrenal function and neurotransmitter metabolites. It offers insights into hormone imbalances, adrenal health, estrogen metabolism, and how hormones are processed in the body.
The DUTCH test is often favored by healthcare practitioners and nutritionists practicing functional medicine because it provides a more detailed and comprehensive understanding of hormone levels and their metabolites, allowing me to create personalized treatment plans for hormonal imbalances and related health issues.
