Nutritional Testing Services
The following testing services are utilized to provide a baseline understanding of your current nutritional health. Subsequent testing can then be utilized to measure and evaluate progress toward achieving your long-term health goals.
ALCAT Food & Chemical Test
- Measure Response to Foods and Additives
- Personalize Nutrition Requirements
- Identify “Safe” foods and food intolerances
The Roman poet Lucretius said, “One man’s meat is another man’s poison.” More than ever, diet plays a crucial role in preventing disease and premature aging.
The immune system is a double-edged sword. It protects against infection when confronted by harmful invaders or “infectious agents” like viruses or bacteria. Unfortunately for many, exposure to common foods, chemicals and molds may also trigger the immune system, leading to inflammation and a chronic “always-on” activation of the immune system.
Chronic immune system disorders due to food intolerance have been linked to:
- Digestive Disorders
- Migraines
- Obesity
- Chronic Fatigue
- ADD/ADHD
- Aching Joints
- Skin Disorders
- Arthritis
- And many more…
So what is the solution?
Understanding what your body is reacting to is the first step. One way to efficiently accomplish this is through ALCAT Food and Chemical (Intolerance) testing.
ALCAT testing measures your body’s cellular response to challenges from food, food additives, food coloring, molds, environmental chemicals, medicinal foods and herbs.
ALCAT testing is not an “allergy” or IgE test. The difference between a food allergy and intolerance is usually in the severity of symptoms. Food allergies usually trigger an immediate and sometimes acute reaction. An intolerance may create subtle but chronic symptoms such as fatigue, joint swelling, runny nose or headaches. The symptoms may be delayed so the person doesn’t always associate it with a certain food. Common problems such as migraines, gastrointestinal disorders, eczema, hyperactivity, ADD, asthma and even obesity have been linked to food sensitivity and chronic activation of the immune system.
ALCAT tests measure personalized nutrition at the cellular level. The test is a simple blood test that identifies food and other factors that induce innate immune system activation. It measures changes in size and volume of white blood cells in response to ex vivo challenges with foods, chemicals and other environmental stimuli.
The results are presented in an easy to understand, color-coded format. Results identify the foods which are non-reactive or “safe” foods to levels of “severe intolerance”.
The test has been validated by Baylor Medical College where they reported 98% success for weight loss and/or improvement in body composition from patients that followed the recommended ALCAT Rotation Plan.
Salivary Hormone Analysis
- Test 7 Important Hormones
- Non-Invasive
- Determine deficiencies or excesses
Hormone Testing Services – What is Saliva Testing?
Saliva testing is an easy and noninvasive way of reliably assessing your hormone-balancing needs. Saliva testing represents only hormones actively delivered to receptors in the body. This is relevant because it provides an accurate reflection of the body’s active hormone levels.
Why Test Hormone Levels?
Hormones are essential for maintaining physical and mental health. We frequently think of estrogen as being a female hormone, and testosterone as being a male hormone. But men AND women make both, plus several more that need to be in balance for optimum health, including cortisol, the adrenal hormone that mediates stress response. An imbalance of any one hormone can throw your physical and mental health out of balance, causing aggravating and even serious health problems.
One size does not fit all when it comes to hormones! For decades western medicine has prescribed hormone replacement therapy as if everyone needed the same thing and the same amount. Nothing could be further from the truth. Your hormones are like your fingerprints and in order to achieve optimal health, you need to know what your specific imbalances are.
Indications of Possible Hormone Imbalance
- sugar cravings
- severe exhaustion
- weight gain
- hot flashes/night sweats
- sleeplessness
- thinning skin
- bone loss
Which Hormones Can Be Tested?
The major sex hormones to assess are estradiol, progesterone and testosterone. Estrone and estriol are also important sex hormones to consider testing. The main adrenal hormones are DHEA and cortisol. These seven hormones will provide crucial information about deficiencies, excesses and daily patterns, which then result in a specifically tailored treatment approach and one far more beneficial than the old “shotgun” approach. Below is a brief description of each of these hormones:
Estrogens: There are three forms made by the body: estrone, estradiol and estriol. The form used in past hormone replacement therapies is estradiol, often in the form of concentrated pregnant mare’s urine (premarin). It is a proliferative (causes growth) hormone that grows the lining of the uterus. It is also a known cancer-causing hormone: breast and endometrial (uterine) in women and prostate gland in men. It will treat menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia and memory-loss. With the bio-identical formulas estriol is matched with estradiol (biest) to provide protective effects and additional estrogenic benefits. The other major protector in keeping estradiol from running amok is progesterone. Estrone and estriol are also useful hormones to test.
Progesterone: Called the anti-estrogen because it balances estradiol’s proliferative effects. It is considered preventive for breast and prostate cancers as well as osteoporosis. In addition, too little progesterone promotes depression, irritability, increased inflammation, irregular menses, breast tenderness, urinary frequency and prostate gland enlargement (BPH).
Testosterone: An anabolic hormone (builds tissue) that is essential for men and women. The proper level of testosterone is necessary for bone health, muscle strength, stamina, sex drive and performance, heart function and mental focus.
DHEA: An important adrenal gland hormone, which is essential for energy production and blood sugar balance. DHEA is a precursor to other hormones, mainly testosterone.
Cortisol: Your waking day hormone (highest in the morning and lowest at night). It is necessary for energy production, blood sugar metabolism, anti-inflammatory effects and stress response.
Some of the common imbalances identified through hormone testing include estrogen dominance, estrogen deficiency, progesterone deficiency, androgen (testosterone and DHEA) excesses or deficiencies, adrenal dysfunction and adrenal fatigue.
The Testing Procedure
When your test is ordered, you will receive a kit and easy-to-follow instructions on how to collect samples at specific times.
Neurotransmitter Analysis
- Determine Neurotransmitter Imbalances
- Identifies Nutritional Therapy Needs
- Provides Baseline for Success Measurement
What are Neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters are chemicals naturally produced in the body that facilitate communication between nerve cells in the brain and between nerve cells and the body. Neurotransmitters are the primary messengers of the central nervous systems.
Urinary neurotransmitter testing is ideal for analyzing nervous system function, including factors related to depression, ADHD and inflammation, due to its proven effectiveness, stability, sensitivity, and non-invasiveness.
Why Measure Neurotransmitter levels?
Measuring neurotransmitter levels in urine can reveal imbalances with your neurological system, your immune system, and your endocrine levels. They include acetylcholine, which governs muscle contractions and prompts glands to secrete hormones; gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps control muscle activity and is an important part of the visual system; serotonin, which constricts blood vessels and brings on sleep, among other functions; and dopamine, which is involved in mood and control of complex movements.
Neurotransmitter testing services can be used when you experience the following conditions:
- Mood disorders, depression, anxiety
- Addiction, dependency
- Fatigue, lack of stamina, insomnia
- Chronic illness, immune deficiency
- Cognitive confusion, learning challenges, declining memory
- Weight issues, appetite control
- Low libido, sexual dysfunction
- PMS, menopause, andropause
- Fibromyalgia, chronic pain
Neurotransmitter imbalances can be easily identified with a single noninvasive urine sample. Testing provides a tool to understand your specific neuroendocrine imbalances, which can be corrected with targeted nutritional therapy including supplementation, diet, and lifestyle interventions.
Urinalysis Testing
- Analysis of over 17 results
- 13 Dietary and supplemental recommendations
- Signs and Symptoms Profile
Gut or Digestive Health Testing Services – 24-Hour Urinalysis
One service I recommend to my wellness clients when we begin our integrative health & wellness coaching is the 24-Hour Urinalysis testing. This test provides great insight into your body’s health. It allows us to take a close look at what nutrients your body is lacking and what it has an abundance of, this knowledge is key to improving your health.
There is a distinct connection between proper digestion and the occurrence of many recurring and nagging health complaints such as allergies, migraine headaches, and digestive disorders.
- The screening provides biochemical evidence of what food(s) your body is having a difficult time digesting and assimilating. Your diet plays a critical role in how you feel and how you maintain health.
- You will be able to readily modify your diet according to your body’s needs. Your body is unique, thus the value of a personalized program.
- You will find out the reasons why you feel the way you do.
Health is the result of being able to maintain certain conditions within the body. Your body must do whatever it can to maintain these conditions. In other words, it will hoard things it is deficient in and it will discard things it has too much of. Since the chemical tests for calcium, salt and many other minerals have been well researched for over 150 years, it is easy to recognize some dietary excesses and deficiencies before disease occurs.
The body filters the blood through the kidneys and uses the formation of urine to cleanse the blood. It discards excess acid and alkali to maintain a proper balance between water and salt in the blood, discarding the excesses in the urine. Waste products and toxic substances, such as drugs and alcohol are removed. Before disease develops, annoying symptoms such as allergies, headaches, and fatigue can result when any of these functions are not adequate to the task.
Included in This Test:
Analysis of over 17 results
• 13 Dietary and supplemental recommendations
• Signs and Symptoms Profile, sample containers and shipping materials
Note: postage fees aren’t included in the service costs and are an additional charge. Service includes initial 15-minute phone session plus follow-up consultation. Lab results will be forwarded to B Renewed and you will be contacted with results.
See a sample test results in PDF form: page 1 sample, page 2 sample. Once you have ordered your service, please read and follow these instructions for collecting a 24 hour urine specimen.
The Testing Procedure
The testing is performed at a certified laboratory and provides valuable information we will use to build your wellness goals around, including the following:
Physical tests: Physical tests for color, cloudiness, volume, and specific gravity are recorded. They are used to recognize abnormalities, including the kidney’s ability to clean the blood.
Chemistry tests: Indican evaluation is performed to measure the presence of food in the colon that is putrefying; this creates irritants and toxins which cause pain and inflammation.
Digestion tests: The urinary sediment is evaluated for excessive crystal formations which can indicate problems with digestion or excessive consumption of protein, sugar or fat.
Other tests that provide helpful information include measurements of pH, calcium and vitamin C.
To take the first step towards understanding your body’s needs, book an appointment with me today for your urinalysis screening and I’ll get you all the supplies, materials and information you need to complete the testing process.
Hair Mineral Tissue Analysis
- Non-Invasive and Extremely Accurate
- Easy-to-Understand Results
- Screens for 20 minerals and toxic metals
Hair Mineral Tissue Testing Services
Hair tissue mineral analysis can provide pertinent information about your metabolic rate, energy levels, sugar and carbohydrate tolerance, stage of stress, immune system and glandular activity.
A hair tissue mineral analysis is a screening test for the level of 20 minerals and toxic metals in a sample of hair. It is a tissue mineral biopsy that is non-invasive, and extremely accurate.
Hair, like all other body tissues, contains minerals that are deposited as the hair grows. Although the hair is dead, the minerals remain as the hair continues to grow out. A sample of hair cut close to the scalp provides information about the mineral activity in the hair that took place over the past three to four months, depending on the rate of hair growth.
What beneficial information will I receive from Hair Mineral testing?
This 15-20 page report is unique as it includes information related to your metabolic rate, energy levels, sugar and carbohydrate tolerance, immune system, autonomic balance, glandular activity and metabolic trends, a personal dietary supplement program, basic diet recommendations and other information that can be inferred from the test results. Test results are printed on an easy-to-read graph which is a great benefit to clients.
The process requires as little as a tablespoon of your hair for the testing. Once you pay and schedule an appointment, we will mail the Mineral Analysis Instructions for Sampling and Order form to you.