Originally published February 5 2014
The benefits of an organic acid test
by Dr. David Jockers
(NaturalNews) The organic acids test is a simple urine test that looks at biomarkers from various metabolic pathways. These biomarkers give an overview of several major systems in the body and an analysis of nutritional deficiencies in the body. Many functional medicine practitioners believe the organic acids test to provide the most useful data for dollars spent of any metabolic test.
The organic acid biomarkers are metabolic intermediates that are produced in pathways of central energy production, neurotransmitter breakdown, detoxification and intestinal microbial activity. When specific organic acids are found accumulating they often signal a metabolic insufficiency. These insufficiencies could be related to toxicity, a nutritional deficiency or an inherited enzyme deficit.
What health conditions would benefit
There are many health conditions that could be remedied or greatly improved through the specific information the organic acids test provides. For example, many individuals are unable to metabolize folate effectively due to a condition called 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency. The organic acid test can look at methylation rates and help understand if the individual is producing folate and other key B vitamin levels.
MTHFR deficiency is a disorder in folate metabolism and disrupts many key metabolic pathways including serotonin production. These individuals often struggle with depression, mood disorders, thyroid problems, sleep abnormalities and brain degenerative states. When someone has this disorder it is key that they use a supplement with a pre-methylated version of folate called L-methylfolate.
This test also can give a good clue as to what microbes are predominating the gut such as yeast, fungi, Clostridium or Giardia. They also look at glutathione synthesis levels and liver detoxification markers. Overall this test provides excellent information for a specific supplement protocol.
Conditions that could benefit from results of organic acids test
Sleep abnormalities
Fatigue
Mood changes
Blood sugar dysregulation
Weight gain
Nausea
Multiple chemical sensitivity
Bloating, gas and distention
Joint pain
Acid reflux
Autoimmune disorders
Dermatitis
Depression
Anxiety
Cancer
Inflammation
Headaches
Accelerated aging
Acne/Eczema
What does the organic acid test measure
Vitamin and mineral insufficiencies
Amino acid insufficiencies like carnitine and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
Oxidative damage and antioxidant sufficiency markers
Indicators to assess detoxification sufficiency
The best functional markers of B-complex deficiency
Neurotransmitter metabolites to assess central nervous system (CNS) function
Mitochondrial energy production assessment via citric acid cycle components
Methylation sufficiency status
Lipoic acid and CoQ10 sufficiency markers
Specific dysbiosis markers for bacterial and yeast overgrowth
Where to get an organic acid test
Most traditional medical doctors are unfamiliar with this sort of testing. You will want to seek out a doctor who practices functional medicine for this sort of testing. The test can range from $200 - $500 depending upon how much information you are looking to ascertain. Most experts would agree that the cost is worth every penny for the valuable information the test provides.
This test is also non-invasive as it is a simple urine collection. This saves you time and money as there is no need for a lab or a medical practitioner to draw blood. You send it in the mail once you have completed the test appropriately.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.metametrix.com
http://www.newliving.com/issues/nov_2003/articles/debe1103.html
https://www.counsyl.com/diseases/mthfr-deficiency/
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/mthfr/
About the author:
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems.
His website features great articles on natural health and incredible recipes. He is the author of the best-selling book SuperCharge Your Brain - the complete guide to radically improve your mood, memory and mindset. He has over 50,000 active followers on his social media and email newsletter and is a big influencer in the Primal Health movement.
Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance consultations and health coaching to help you beat disease and reach your health goals. For more information got to www.drjockers.com
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems.
His website features great articles on natural health and incredible recipes. He is the author of the best-selling book SuperCharge Your Brain - the complete guide to radically improve your mood, memory and mindset. He has over 50,000 active followers on his social media and email newsletter and is a big influencer in the Primal Health movement.
Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance consultations and health coaching to help you beat disease and reach your health goals. For more information got to www.drjockers.com
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