Functional Testing

Functional Medicine practitioners, including nutrition therapists, identify the causes of many health conditions through the analysis of science-based testing results.  These tests are useful in identifying the biochemical and metabolic imbalances that may be associated with your symptoms and concerns.  Based on test results, personalized protocols are designed to support or prevent disease and its symptoms.

With functional testing, a more in-depth assessment of your current state of health is attained and can guide the development of your program for optimal supplement and dietary support. Functional tests are used to identify how well various systems within the body are working and measure the progress of the recommended protocols.  

Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis

If you think that you have a major system imbalance, such as liver, thyroid, hormonal problems, or severe digestive disorders such as parasites or gluten intolerance, then you are an ideal candidate for testing.  However, a functional blood chemistry analysis is beneficial and recommended to all my clients.

 

Benefits of a Blood Chemistry Analysis:

• Develop a reliable perspective for viewing lab reports
• Implement nutrition protocols specific to your body’s state of health
• Provide early detection of developing life-threatening health conditions
• Avoid spending money on supplements you may not need
• Track the results of your wellness program
• Gain a thorough understanding of endocrine physiology and function

The benefits of having a blood chemistry analysis completed through Earth and Water Wellness include confidentiality; the results are always confidential and will remain private (your insurance company will not see the results), it is convenient and cost-effective.  Paperwork will be either given to you at the time of your visit or e-mailed to you with lab locations throughout the country.  The cost of a Blood Chemistry Health Analysis includes the lab fee and blood draw, complete assessment and the report of findings for only $175.00.

Food Allergy & Sensitivity Testing
This blood test identifies delayed allergies and chemicals (sometimes called sensitivities) to specific foods.  This type of testing is essential for identifying “hidden” allergies that may go undetected by traditional methods such as skin testing.

ALCAT© testing can help you overcome any food sensitivity problems you might have by identifying what foods, additives, and chemicals are provoking your symptoms, and, more importantly, which foods have the highest probability of being safe.

Once the test is performed, an eating plan is developed and tailored to the needs of each individual client with assistance in implementing your new, healthy eating plan.

Food Sensitivity Testing (ALCAT Test)        
The ALCAT test helps define the right diet for optimum health and performance. Shown to be highly accurate in identifying the relevant foods and substances associated with many types of chronic inflammatory and metabolic disorders, the ALCAT test takes the guesswork out of therapeutic dietary planning.  The Food Sensitivity Profile measures levels of inflammatory markers specific to 50-200 foods that can cause reactions at various sites in the body, including the small and large intestines, skin, kidneys, ears, sinuses, head, lungs, and joints.  Offending foods can cause a person to hold onto false fat, cause gas, bloating, fatigue, and skin issues, among other things.   Food sensitivities can occur at any age, triggering many different symptoms and contribute to a variety of disorders.   This type of testing is more specific than traditional allergy testing, which only measures IGE response (acute anaphalaxis-type reactions). The ALCAT test measures all pathways of the immune system from one simple non-fasting blood draw. Clinical results have been shown to be 85 percent effective in reducing symptoms.

Based on your results detailing the foods that cause mild/moderate/severe reaction (an inflammatory response at the cellular level) or no reaction, an optimal wellness plan will be developed.  Follow-up sessions will guide you through a digestive health and support program with guidelines for food elimination, replacement, rotation and re-introduction as well as digestive system repair and rebuilding guidance.  This is a must for anyone that has suffered from chronic digestive issues, mood and behavior concerns, chronic headaches or autoimmune conditions.

Why we frequently feel sick

Food sensitivities are a common cause of many chronic conditions and affect an estimated 15-20% of the population.  Symptoms provoked by food sensitivities occur when our immune system begins perceiving foods in the same way it perceives things which are actually harmful, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites. This causes the release of toxic chemicals called “mediators” (such as histamine, cytokines, and prostaglandins) from our immune cells.  It’s the inflammatory and pain-inducing effects of the mediators that give rise to symptoms, which ends up making us feel sick. 

Research has shown that patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, chronic depression, and many other conditions have higher than normal levels of these mediators circulating throughout their bodies.  For many, the “trigger” that causes the mediators to be released can be linked to foods or chemicals in their diet.

Food sensitivity symptoms are often chronic because the mediators that make us feel sick are released every time you eat your reactive foods.  And it doesn’t matter what drugs we take to try and get better; if we have food sensitivities and don’t figure out which foods we should be eating (and of course, which foods we should stay away from), getting better and staying better becomes a long-term never-ending struggle.

 

Conditions and Symptoms Linked to Food Sensitivities

• Irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, functional dyspepsia (heartburn), diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, bloating
• Migraine and other chronic headaches, fibromyalgia, joint pain, muscle pain, muscle weakness
• Autism, ADD/ADHD, fatigue, tiredness, insomnia, general malaise, restlessness, “brain fog”
• Hives, eczema
• Excess mucous production, chronic post nasal drip, chronic congestion

Additional Testing and Panel Options

Adrenal Stress Test
Your adrenal glands play an important role in regulating energy, hormones, and immune system function.  These glands are especially susceptible to the effects of stress and often “burn-out” or dysfunction.  The adrenal stress test provides the information needed to identify and accurately correct adrenal dysfunction.

Gastrointestinal Index/Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA)
Comprehensive digestive stool analysis evaluates the status of the body’s digestive tract. This is a stool test used to identify microbial and yeast overgrowth (candida), inflammation, and “leaky gut”.  The stool test also measures the level of good, healthy bacteria and identifies immune system deficiencies within the GI tract. This evaluation is helpful for patients with afflictions such as irritable bowel syndrome, mal-absorption, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain.It is ideal for determining if parasites or bacteria are present.

 

Immune Panel

Assessments of immune function include the Comprehensive Antibody Assessment, with reporting of IgG antibodies for delayed reactions as well as IgE for immediate reactions and testing for Celiac profiles.

Female Hormone Panel

This test provides a reliable assessment of hormone function. Effective assessment can provide important information for avoiding the negative side effects associated with hormone replacement therapies, as well as offer more natural forms of hormone therapy.

 

Male Hormone Panel

This test provides a reliable assessment of hormone function. Effective assessment can provide important information for addressing issues related to impaired libido, fat accumulation around waistline, change in sleepin patterns, erectile dysfunction or depression/loss of vitality.

Inflammation

• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein
• Homocysteine levels

Tests for Mental Health

• Blood panel for vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Thyroid and adrenal panels (Wilson’s thyroid syndrome)
• Food sensitivity tests for gluten and casein sensitivity
• Blood and hair analysis for heavy metal and toxic chemicals
• Tests for Pyroluria, methylation, and other metabolic imbalances
• Hormone levels
• Stool samples for candida yeast, bacteria and parasites

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If additional testing is recommended and you decide to order testing or a blood chemistry health analysis, you will receive a lab requisition (LabCorp) either via e-mail or fax.  LabCorp is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of Medicare program.