Functional Testing in Nutritional Therapy

WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TESTING?

Firstly, it’s important to remember that functional tests are not used for diagnostic purposes.

Rather they are extra tools that can be used to give a deeper insight and provide more information and detail regarding your bodily processes and functions/dysfunctions. They can help to determine what is working well, what not so well and what can play a role in helping you to feel better.

WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TEST?

Common functional medicine tests include:
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Comprehensive stool analysis to evaluate

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the health of the gut microbiome and identify other microbial markers such as parasites, bacterial/fungal overgrowth, inflammatory markers, digestive function, immune markers and potential intestinal permeability/leaky gut.
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SIBO testing – breath test to identify overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine
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Vaginal/oral microbiome testing
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Nutritional testing (blood sample) to establish status of nutrient levels, lipid profiles, inflammatory markers and methylation
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Organic acid testing – measured using dried urine samples to help understand and assess functioning of various bodily systems and nutrient status
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Extended thyroid function testing to help understand what is really going on behind abnormal TSH levels
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Hair mineral and toxicity analysis
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Extended sex hormone and adrenal function evaluation using saliva and/or dried urine testing
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Food allergy and intolerance testing

Shirley Garland DipNT, mANP, mGNC

As a nutritional therapist I am registered with the professional private laboratories that perform these tests and can order and interpret these tests on your behalf should we identify that a particular test would be beneficial to your health or treatment.

There are many different tests available on the open market, some less reliable than others. It is essential to have testing carried out by laboratories that offer proven scientific based testing methodology and therefore I would highly recommend working with a Nutritional Therapist or other qualified practitioner who can advise you in this matter if you wish to pursue any functional testing.

I only use laboratories that use the most accurate and up to date testing technology as these tests are an additional expense for any client and its important to know that any additional outlay is yielding the most accurate and informative results.

HOW DO WE USE NUTRIGENOMICS IN NUTRITIONAL THERAPY?

Why use Nutrigenomics?

Genetic information can be especially useful to have in some cases in the nutrition clinic. Knowing genetic predispositions and understanding exactly how the body is working can help direct a nutrition plan that can either assist with management of existing disease or help to reduce the risk of development of a particular disease.

When to use it?

Genetic testing is not for every client but can be very helpful in specific cases. It must always be remembered that gene testing will only disclose potential and is not diagnostic in any sense. Most genetic illnesses require an environmental trigger and in the absence of this trigger most of us live with potential for any and all diseases in happy ignorance.

Who can do it?

Nutritional therapists are qualified to order and interpret any DNA testing that might be relevant to you and your health concerns.