Metabolic Analysis Profile

This assessment of urine metabolites evaluates four critical areas of metabolism: gastrointestinal function, cellular energy production, neurotransmitter processing, and amino acid-organic acid balance as influenced by vitamin/mineral cofactors. Results can be used to address chronic systemic complaints ranging from fatigue and mood disorders to headaches, muscular/joint pain, and digestive problems.

The Metabolic Analysis Profile is a urinary assessment of 39 key organic acids, grouped according to their primary roles in four central areas of metabolism.

For gastrointestinal function, this profile measures eight markers that can reveal malabsorption and dysbiosis (a state of imbalanced gut microbial flora). These imbalances can be addressed to improve gut health, and to help prevent or alleviate common causes of nutritional deficiency, chronic digestive problems, yeast overgrowth (Candida), cognitive impairment, gastrointestinal distress, and degenerative conditions.

To evaluate the body's production of energy, this profile assesses metabolites that serve as important intermediates in the citric acid cycle. This cycle supplies the body with its primary energy needs, converting 90% of food energy into cellular energy. This subpanel also includes carbohydrate metabolites that can signal impaired glucose (blood sugar) metabolism. Additional markers help evaluate the body's breakdown of fats and its production of cholesterol and coenzyme Q10. Imbalances of cellular energy metabolites are linked with chronic fatigue, accelerated cell breakdown, and unhealthy aging.

A special grouping of neurotransmitter metabolites serve as important diagnostic indicators of abnormal metabolism that can underlie many key aspects of neuropsychiatric function. These markers are urinary metabolites of powerful neurotransmitters that act on the central nervous system-including epinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin-substances which can profoundly influence patterns of stress response, emotional well-being, cognition, and sleep.

Finally, this test provides a functional assessment of nutrient sufficiency and usage that covers a broad range of vitamins, coenzymes, elements, enzyme activators, and other nutrients. An analysis of amino acid metabolites which require vitamin and mineral cofactors for their metabolism can point to deficiencies of vitamins B6, B12, and C, magnesium, copper, iron, as well as various amino acids.

All markers on the Metabolic Analysis Profile are measured in urine and ratioed to creatinine. This allows a single urine sample to be used for analysis. The test report includes an in-depth interpretation for abnormal results with a list of possible remedial nutrients. Available with pediatric (ages 2-12) as well as adult reference ranges, this test is an important clinical tool for treating imbalances underlying metabolic, nutritional, and neurological disorders. Using test results, practitioners can design comprehensive, customized therapies to restore optimal metabolic health.

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Food Antibody Assessments

The incidence of food allergies has increased dramatically over the years, and it is estimated that up to 20% of the population have adverse reactions to foods. The Genova Diagnostics IgG Food Profile helps identify those with true immune-mediated allergies versus food intolerance. It measures IgG antibody levels to 88 foods and Total IgE. The IgE Food Profile measures quantitative IgE antibody levels to the most common types of dietary allergens. Additional tests are also available for Vegetables and Spices.

The Consequences of Food Allergies

Increased total antigenic load related to food and environmental sensitivities has been associated with a wide range of medical conditions affecting virtually every part of the body. Even mood and behavior, including hyperactivity disorders in children, are profoundly influenced by food allergies. Symptoms can range from mildly uncomfortable to severe and may include:

Asthma, Migraine, Eczema, Urticaria, Arthritis, Ear infections, Sinusitis, Colitis

IgE vs. IgG Mediated Allergens

Classical skin testing for allergies such as skin-scratch testing, only measures IgE-mediated reactions and provides no information concerning delayed IgG hypersensitivity reactions. Assessment of relative IgG antibody levels to a multitude of foods using sensitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technology identifies those foods against which the patient is producing antibodies. Measuring both relative IgE and IgG antibody levels provides an invaluable starting point for dietary intervention. The key differences between IgE and IgG mediated allergies are summarized below:

Several controls are routinely included with each test to check for auto reactivity and to ensure optimal accuracy. All IgG Food profiles are accompanied by a customized True Relief® four-day rotation diet that tailors a regime for antibody reduction and symptom alleviation. A personalized patient wallet card highlighting the IgG reactive foods is also provided to assist your patient in following diet recommendations.

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The Adrenal Stress Index™

Each adrenal gland is composed of two separate functional entities. The outer zone, or cortex, accounts for 80% to 90% of the gland, and secretes adrenal steroids (Cortisol, DHEA(S) and Aldosterone). The inner zone, or medulla, comprises 10% to 20% of the gland, and secretes the catecholamines adrenaline and nor-adrenaline. Cortisol, DHEA and adrenaline are the three main adrenal stress hormones.

The Adrenal Rhythm & Its Importance

The human adrenal gland does not secrete its steroid hormones at a constant level throughout the day. The hormones are actually released in a cycle with the highest value in the morning and the lowest value at night. This is easily understood by looking at Figure 1. This 24-hour cycle is called the circadian rhythm. An abnormal adrenal rhythm can influence many functions of the body, some of which are listed below.

1. Energy production
   Abnormal adrenal function can alter the ability of cells to produce energy for activities of daily living. People who have a hard time rising in the morning, or who suffer with a low energy level during the day, often have abnormal adrenal rhythms and poor blood sugar regulation.

   The maintenance of a stable blood sugar level depends on food choice, lifestyle, adrenal function and insulin activity. This panel measures stress hormones and insulin, to help ferret out causes of fatigue, cravings and obesity.

2. Muscle & joint function
   Abnormal adrenal rhythms are known to compromise tissue healing. Reduced tissue repair and increased tissue breakdown can lead to muscle and joint breakdown with chronic pain.

3. Bone health
   The adrenal rhythm determines how well we build bone. If the night cortisol level is elevated and the morning level is too high, our bones do not rebuild well, and we are more prone to the osteoporotic process. Stress is the enemy of the bones. In postmenopausal women, the effect of stress worsens due to the female hormone imbalances.

4. Immune health
   Various immune cells (white blood cells) cycle in and out of the spleen and bone marrow for special conditioning, and possible nourishment and instructions. This immune system trafficking follows the cortisol cycle. So, if the cycle is disrupted, especially at night, then the immune system is adversely affected. Short and long-term stress is known to suppress the immune response on the surfaces of our body as in lungs, throat, urinary and intestinal tract. With the reduction in the surface antibody (called secretory IgA), the resistance to infection is reduced and allergic reactions are believed to increase.

5. Sleep quality
   The ability to enter REM sleep cycles, i.e. regenerative sleep, is interrupted by high cortisol values at night and in the morning. Chronic lack of REM sleep can reduce the mental vitality and vigor of a person and induce depression.

6. Skin regeneration
   Human skin regenerates mostly during the night. With higher night cortisol values, less skin regeneration takes place. So, a normal cortisol rhythm is essential for optimal skin health (See Figure 2).

7. Thyroid function
   The level of Cortisol at the cell level controls thyroid hormone production. Quite often, hypothyroid symptoms such as fatigue and low body temperature are due to an adrenal maladaptation.

8. Grain intolerance & stress
   About 12-18% of the U.S. population suffers from a genetic intolerance to grain. Specifically, a high incidence occurs in Celtic, Germanic, and Nordic derivation. The gut becomes inflamed within 30 minutes after consuming the grains and this can lead to an adrenal stress response, increased cortisol and reduced DHEA.

(Several other functions that go beyond the scope of the pamphlet are also cortisol and DHEA dependent.)

The Adrenal Stress Index™ (ASI™)

Four saliva samples are used in the ASI™ for the following ten tests:

Your health care provider can use the findings in this panel to recommend customized treatment and preventive measures that may include diet and lifestyle changes, hormones, botanicals and vitamins.

Advantages of the ASI™

1. The test is non-invasive & can be performed wherever you are.
2. Saliva is collected under real life conditions. There are no stressful blood draws and no gallon sized urine containers to carry around for 24 hours.
3. With blood and urine testing, a number of borderline adrenal conditions are missed due to lack of sensitivity. This is not the case with the ASI™ because samples are taken within one circadian cycle and the more definitive free fraction is measured.
4. The ASI™ is an in-depth test, such that options for treatment are expanded by 400-500% over serum and urine test results.

Note: The ASI™ was invented and introduced by Diagnos-Techs, Inc. in 1989. All other panels offered on the market are copies.

Abnormal adrenal rhythm can influence:

• Energy Production
• Bone Health
• Immune System Health
• Sleep Quality
• Skin Regeneration
• Thyroid Function
• Muscle and Joint Function

Do you need the ASI™ Test?

To determine if the ASI™ is the appropriate test for assessing your health condition, ask your physician for a stress questionnaire. The score can help your doctor determine a course of action.

The ASI™ is mostly ordered for individuals that suffer from:

• Chronic stress and related health problems
• Lack of vitality and energy
• Muscle and joint pain
• Hypoglycemia
• Migraine headaches
• Osteoporosis
• Sleep disturbances
• Poor memory
• Alcohol intolerance
• Stress maladaptation
• Low sex drive
• Low body temperature

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