Epigenetics informs us that the environment including our diet has a major impact on our genes and physiology. Recent research shows how our gut microbes also play a significant role in our physical and mental well being. So its vital we pay attention to what we are eating and digesting. Here are some basic guide lines:
Continue reading “Nutrition” »
Herbs help the body to heal by bringing it back into balance. They are chosen according to their actions, for example: warming, cooling, nourishing, draining, astringing or purging.
Continue reading “Herbal medicine” »
Functional Medicine tests from Genova Diagnostics, Regenerus Laboratories and other laboratories. For example Rhythm Plus, DUTCH test, Organix organic acids.
The Rhythm Plus™ hormone test is a comprehensive salivary assessment of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone that spans a full 28 days. Additionally, this hormone testing profile includes the Adrenocortex Stress Profile and the Comprehensive Melatonin Profile to reveal how the sex hormones are influenced by cortisol, DHEA, and melatonin. Hormonal balance is the key. Fluctuating levels of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone play a major role in a woman’s overall health. Rhythm Plus is a hormonal test indicated for both premenopausal and perimenopausal women not currently supplementing with hormones.
Hormone imbalances may be responsible for:
DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) Complete can help identify the root causes of hormone imbalances in men and women. It can provide insights into conditions such as the menopause, PCOS, weight gain, fatigue, low libido, premenstrual syndrome, mood swings, sleep issues, mood disorders and prostate issues in men. Additionally, the test can be used to gather baseline measurements for the administration and monitoring of hormone replacement therapy.
The profile analyzes 35 different hormones; oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-S and cortisol along with their metabolites. It also measures daily free cortisol, the oxidative stress marker 8OHdG, melatonin and six organic acids including markers for vitamin B12 (methylmalonate), vitamin B6 (xanthurenate), glutathione (pyroglutamate), dopamine (homovanillate), norepinephrine/epinephrine (vanilmandelate), and serotonin (5-hydroxy indole acetate).
The DUTCH test is simple and easy to use. Urine samples are taken using filter paper collection strips over a 24-hour urine collection.
The Organix Profile provides a view into the body’s cellular metabolic processes and the efficiency of metabolic function. Identifying metabolic blocks that can be treated nutritionally allows individual tailoring of interventions to help maximize patient responses and lead to improved patient outcomes.
Why use an organic acids test?
Organic acids are metabolic intermediates produced in pathways of central energy production, detoxification, neurotransmitter breakdown, and intestinal microbial activity. Accumulation of specific organic acids in urine often signals a metabolic inhibition or block. This abnormality may be due to a nutrient deficiency, an inherited enzyme deficit, toxic build-up, or drug effect. An organic acids urine test helps reveal activity and changes at the metabolic level, helping practitioners discover hidden issues and pinpoint where therapeutic focus is needed.
Chronic illness is the result of many factors but most important of all are inflammation and stressful living. Allergies, infections and toxins come about mostly through alterations in the digestive tract, especially leaky gut syndrome. In order to get well and stay well it is important to identify as many causative factors as possible. Getting a stool test to determine the diversity of the gut microbiome and doing a comprehensive stool and digestive analysis are also helpful.
Continue reading “Chronic Illness” »