Why lab testing is important in functional medicine

Functional medicine is based on peer-reviewed science and finds the root cause of your symptoms. There are a variety of factors that can lead to depression, fatigue, chronic pain, poor function, and other chronic health disorders.

Functional lab testing shows a trend toward disease

In conventional medicine, doctors use labs to screen for disease. Once a condition has become a disease, such as diabetes or autoimmune disease, the damage is significant.

Functional medicine uses lab testing to catch a health trend that is on the way to disease but that can still be slowed, halted, or reversed. For instance, lab markers that show elevated blood sugar, inflammation, and poor liver function allow you to easily reverse the march towards diabetes.

Another example is autoimmunity. A significant amount of tissue must be destroyed before conventional medicine can diagnose autoimmune disease. However, by testing for antibodies against tissue, the autoimmune progression can be slowed or stopped in its early stages.

Functional lab testing tracks progress

Although the first test is important for identifying health problems, subsequent testing is also crucial to let you know whether your protocol is working. If there is no improvement, it means you have not hit on the right protocol or discovered all the underlying causes.

NutrEval ® FMVA Comprehensive Test for Identifying Nutritional DeficienciesFeaturing Urine Amino Acid Analysis

Why Use the NutrEval FMV Profile?

NutrEval FMV ® (First Morning Void) test identifies key nutritional deficiencies. The NutrEval FMV evaluates overall nutritional status to determine personalized supplementation needs for antioxidants, B-vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, digestive support, and other select nutrients.

The NutrEval FMV is an advanced diagnostic tool to guide nutritional therapies, often augmenting and speeding recovery of complex chronic conditions. Select genomics biomarkers may be added to the profile for enhanced personalization of therapies.

The Complete NutrEval FMV Offers:

• Metabolic Analysis Markers (urine organic acids)
  • Malabsorption and Dysbiosis Markers
    • Malabsorption Markers
    • Bacterial Dysbiosis Markers
    • Yeast/Fungal Dysbiosis Markers
  • Cellular Energy & Mitochondrial Metabolites
    • Carbohydrate Metabolism
    • Energy Metabolism
    • Fatty Acid Metabolism
  • Neurotransmitter Metabolites
  • Vitamin Markers
  • Toxin & Detoxification Markers
  • Tyrosine Metabolism

• Urine Amino Acid Analysis
  • Nutritionally Essential Amino Acids
  • Nonessential Protein Amino Acids
  • Intermediary Metabolites
  • Dietary Peptide Related Markers

• Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids
  • Omega 3 Fatty Acids
  • Omega 6 Fatty Acids
  • Omega 9 Fatty Acids
  • Saturated Fatty Acids
  • Monounsaturated Fats
    • Omega 7 Fats
    • Trans Fat
  • Delta-6 Desaturase Activity
  • Cardiovascular Risk – featuring key ratios: Omega 6/Omega 3, AA/EPA, and the Omega 3 Index

• Oxidative Stress Markers
  • Glutathione (whole blood)
  • Lipid Peroxides (urine)
  • 8-OHdG (urine)
  • Coenzyme Q10 (plasma)

• Elemental Markers
  • Nutrient Elements
    • Copper
    • Magnesium
    • Manganese
    • Potassium
    • Selenium
    • Zinc
  • Toxic Elements
    • Lead
    • Mercury
    • Antimony
    • Arsenic
    • Cadmium
    • Tin

When Should a NutrEval Profile Be Considered?

Research suggests that nutritional deficiencies may be at the root of many chronic conditions. The NutrEval can help identify specific, personalized recommendations for even the most difficult-to-treat patient cases.

Effective for Patient Concerns Such As:

• Mood Disorders
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

• Fatigue
• Digestive Complaints
• Chronic Pain/Inflammatory Conditions
  • Musculoskeletal
  • Migraine

• Cardiovascular Risk
• Weight Issues/Dietary Guidance
• General Health and Sports Fitness Optimization

The NutrEval profile is designed to assist in the management of nutritional deficiencies. It is ideal for establishing a baseline assessment ahead of clinical intervention with nutraceuticals as well as subsequent monitoring if needed.

What Advantage Does the Profile Offer Compared to Other Diagnostics?

Although practices are changing, the traditional medical model does not currently place emphasis on biochemical individuality. The conventional clinical approach to nutrition-related symptoms does not routinely include utilization of comprehensive nutritional testing. When testing is performed, select vitamins are assessed to determine if the level is sufficient to meet nutrient requirements based on healthy individuals. However, a comprehensive assay – such as NutrEval FMV – provides several advantages for patients with nutrient-related symptoms.

• Identification of imbalances that may precede abnormal findings on standard laboratory panels
• Comprehensive nutritional assessment indicating the functional need for specific nutrients, diet modification, antioxidant protection, detoxification and other therapies
• Personalized nutrient recommendations based on biochemical individuality

What Can Clinicians and Patients Expect from NutrEval Testing?

Imbalanced or insufficient nutrients affect a wide range of body functions, producing symptoms that negatively affect the quality of life and, with some chronic conditions, may be considered a root cause. A structured comprehensive nutritional evaluation panel – such as the NutrEval FMV profile – to evaluate nutritional deficiencies provides clinical support by providing insight into development of personalized treatments. Identification and targeted treatment of underlying imbalance with customized nutrient recommendations can enhance other treatments and increase the patients' overall health and ability to combat chronic illness.

Adrenocortex Stress Profile with Cortisol Awakening Response

A Comprehensive Tool to Assess the HPA Axis — Stress Response and Resiliency

The Adrenocortex Stress Profile (ASP) provides an assessment of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis using carefully timed salivary samples of the hormones cortisol and DHEA. Salivary testing is an easy, non-invasive option to measure unbound, biologically active parent hormone levels. The report offers an easy-to-interpret graphic which plots the results of the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and the natural diurnal rhythm.

• Adrenocortex Stress Profile (ASP) : Four salivary samples measured throughout the day to give insight into the natural circadian diurnal cortisol rhythm, and help clinicians address specific daily stressors.

• Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) : Three awakening samples to evaluate CAR with one evening cortisol sample.
  • CAR is a transient, immediate rise in cortisol upon awakening and is distinct from the diurnal rhythm. CAR reflects a person's ability to cope with anticipated challenges and their perception of control around chronic stress, providing insight into HPA axis resiliency.
  • The isolated evening cortisol has distinct clinical implications. Elevated evening cortisol is linked to insomnia and associated with various diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hormonally driven cancers, and osteoporosis.
• Adrenocortex Stress Profile with Cortisol Awakening Response (ASP with CAR) : Six samples that offers the most comprehensive look at cortisol and the HPA axis.

DHEA is measured once in the 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM sample and a ratio of DHEA to cortisol is calculated to provide insight into anabolic/catabolic balance.

Daily hassles, chronic pain, blood sugar dysregulation, work stressors, and poor relationship quality can alter the HPA axis. Imbalances in adrenal hormones can have a wide range of negative consequences that can adversely impact a patient's overall quality of life. The symptoms of HPA axis dysfunction can be vague and are highly variable but may include: fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, depression, GI complaints, and chronic pain. HPA axis dysfunction is associated with many conditions including:

• hypertension
• cardiovascular disease
• gastrointestinal and immune dysregulation
• diabetes and metabolic syndrome
• depression
• chronic fatigue
• persistent pain
• neurodegenerative disease and cognitive decline

Adrenocortex Stress Profile testing can reveal these HPA axis imbalances and provide direction for clinical intervention with targeted therapeutic treatments such as nutrient support and/or adaptogens, stress management, behavioral modification and lifestyle interventions.

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ARE YOU IN CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH, OR IS IT CONTROLLING YOU?

Nutritional balance plays a key role in optimal wellness, chronic disease prevention and managing the aging process.

• Do you find yourself feeling stressed, tired and maybe a little depressed?
• Do you take prescription medicines to alleviate symptoms of certain conditions, but wonder why the condition exists at all?
• Do you want to boost your immune system now, to possibly prevent chronic disease later?

SPECTRACELL'S MICRONUTRIENT TESTING OFFERS THE MOST ACCURATE, SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN METHOD OF ASSESSING NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES.

Be Proactive, NOT Reactive

Traditionally, a person waited to go to the doctor at the first signs of a symptom.  Today, individuals are looking for way to not only manage illness with personalized treatment plans, but they are also seeking to achieve a higher level of wellness.

Eating a balanced diet, exercising and taking a multivitamin is simply not enough.  Each person's body is unique in its own way.  Due to the complexity of the human body, an individualized healthcare approach is the only way to guarantee optimal results.

What is Micronutrient Testing?

SpectraCell's Micronutrient tests measure the function of 35 nutritional components including vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and amino acids within our white blood cells.  Scientific evidence shows us that analyzing the white blood cells gives us the most accurate analysis of a body's deficiencies.

What results will I see?

SpectraCell's Micronutrient lab results include an overview page with all deficiencies listed, numeric and graphic reports easily identifying deficiencies and repletion and supplementation recommendations.

SpectraCell's Micronutrient test includes:

Vitamin, mineral and antioxidant deficiencies have been shown to affect the function of the immune system which can contribute to degenerative processes such as arthritis.

Telomere Testing

HOW FAST ARE YOU AGING?

Telomere testing reveals a window to your cellular age.

What are telomeres?

Telomeres are sections of DNA at the end of each chromosome that serve as a cap to your genetic material.  Every time a cell replicates, its telomere will become shorter.  Shorter telomeres imply a shorter life span for a cell.

What effect does telomere length have on my health and wellness?

Age adjusted telomere length is the best method to date to assess biological age using structural analysis of chromosomal change in the telomere.  Serial evaluation of telomere length is an indicator of how rapidly one ages relative to a normal population.  Therapies directed at slowing the loss of telomere length may slow aging and age-related diseases.

Does diet have any effect on telomere length and repair?

An inflammatory diet, or one that increases oxidative stress, will shorten telomeres faster.  This would include refined carbohydrates, fast foods, processed foods, sodas, artificial sweeteners, trans fats and saturated fats.  A diet with a large amount and variety of antioxidants that improves oxidative defense and reduces oxidative stress will slow telomere shortening.  Consumption of 10 servings of fresh and relatively uncooked fruits and vegetables, mixed fiber; monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, cold water fish and high quality vegetable proteins can prevent premature shortening.  In addition, caloric restriction is advised combined with an exercise program.  Fasting for 12 hours each night at least 4 days per week may also be protective.

What lifestyle modifications are likely to be helpful?

One should achieve ideal body weight and body composition with low body fat (less than 22% for women and less than 16% for men).  Decreasing visceral fat is very important.  Regular aerobic and resistance exercise for at least one hour per day, sleeping for at least 8 hours per night, stress reduction, discontinuation of all tobacco products and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may decrease the rate of telomere loss.

How do you measure telomere length?

The Patient Telomere Score is calculated based on the patient's telomere length on white blood cells (T-lymphocytes).  This is the average compared to telomere length on lymphocytes from a sample of the American population in the same age range.  The higher the telomere score, the "younger" the cells.  A Telomere Score that is above the average line is desirable.

What can I do to reduce my rate of telomere loss?

Shorter telomeres have been associated with metabolic abnormalities, obesity and several degenerative diseases including cancer, dementia and cardiovascular disease.  In vitro studies have shown that telomeres are highly susceptible to oxidative stress, which will shorten telomere length and enhance cellular aging.  Minimizing associated risk factors that are linked to shortened telomere activity is recommended and include:

• Reduce oxidative stress
• Correct micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin D
• Change sedentary lifestyle/increase physical activity
• Avoid weight gain or obesity
• Correct insulin resistance

Studies have shown that telomere length is strongly associated with CVD risk, nutritional deficiencies (particularly antioxidants) and cancer and testing may be a useful biomarker for risk assessment.