Functional Testing Services in Toronto
Functional medicine looks at the root causes of symptoms and can test and decipher why that person is suffering from dis-ease. Interpreting one’s genetic make-up, environment, nutrition, and stress levels can help reveal what is truly going on in the body.
Functional Tests offered
DUTCH Hormone Test
Many women are exhausted, running on caffeine to get to the end of the day. Juggling career, family and life’s daily ups and downs. They may not know that they are suffering from hormonal imbalances that may result in PMS, moodiness, insomnia, weight gain, low libido, anxiety/depression, and lack of motivation.
The DUTCH test measures the hormone metabolites from the dried urine samples. The hormones that are measured are:
- Cortisol
- Cortisone
- Estradiol
- Estrone
- Estriol
- Progesterone
- Testosterone
- DHEA
- Melatonin
The DUTCH test can help assess the following:
- Testing adrenal hormones can give insight into adrenal hormones and can help to address the stress and sleep issues of the individual.
- By checking melatonin levels, a clearer picture of sleep issues can be revealed.
- Fertility issues and possible PCOS can be assessed and can provide a more comprehensive picture on how adrenal and reproductive hormone imbalances may be contributing to these problems.
- DHEA, which is known as the ‘fountain of youth’ is a hormone produced in the adrenals and can decrease when we age. Supporting this hormone can help with fatigue, depression, skin, increasing bone density, libido, and adrenal insufficiency.
- Estrogen dominance occurs when there is too much estrogen relative to other hormones, such as progesterone. This can be a factor in PMS, endometriosis, fibroids, water retention, mood issues, weight gain and worsened menopausal symptoms.
- Understanding the metabolization of estrogen through the liver is important for understanding how we clear estrogen from the body. This is important in regards to breast, uterine, and cervical cancers.
DNA Testing and Nutrigenomics
Nutrigenomics is an exciting and rapidly growing field that looks at the relationship between food, nutrients, and lifestyle on the expression of genes. Understanding the way food can turn off or turn on genes can greatly impact our health.
DNA testing through DNA Life tests for genetic variations that are known to have a significant effect on health and susceptibility to chronic diseases, such as:
- Osteoporosis
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Neural tube defects
It can also look for genetic variations affecting the following:
- Estrogen metabolism: including personal risk factors associated with HRT, oral contraceptives, bio-identical supplementation, and IVF
- Lipid metabolism
- Inflammation
- Mood disorders: depressive, bipolar, anxiety, PTSD
- Addictive behaviour: risk for alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and opioid dependence
- Skin health: collagen formation, sun sensitivity, sun damage, protection, and repair mechanisms
- Insulin sensitivity
- Food responsiveness: carbohydrate and saturated fat responsiveness
- Eating behaviour: including snacking behaviour and satiety
- Obesity risk
- Detoxification
- Bone health
- Exercise responsiveness
- Endurance potential
- Caffeine metabolism
Omega 3 Fatty Acid Index
A measurement of your omega 3 fatty acid status can assess your level of this very important fat.
Omega 3’s have been shown to be associated with the following:
- Prevention of heart disease and stroke
- Reduction of depression and anxiety
- Eye health
- Reduction of ADHD symptoms
- Improvement of metabolic syndrome: improving insulin sensitivity and inflammation
- Improving autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
- Fighting age-related mental decline, such as Alzheimer’s
- Improving bone and joint health
- Reducing fat in the liver
- Alleviating menstrual pain
- Skin health
- May improve sleep
Food Sensitivity and Intolerance Testing
A food sensitivity/intolerance to a food is an immune-based reaction to that food. It can result in the following:
- Joint aches
- Bloating
- Constipation and or diarrhoea
- Migraines
- Skin rashes: eczema, hives
- Chronic allergies
- Congestion
Discovering which foods you are sensitive to can help to alleviate these issues.
Amino Acid Analysis
This is a nutritional test that evaluates amino acids for a deeper insight into their metabolism.
Amino acid metabolism may be compromised by common lifestyle and dietary factors, which may result in inadequate levels of amino acids
Amino acids are made from protein and are responsible for:
- Growth and repair of body tissue
- Providing the body with energy
- Sustaining a normal digestive system
- Boosting the immune system
- Making antibodies
- Building muscle
- Maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails
- Making hormones and neurotransmitters
- Breakdown of food
The Amino Acid analysis can show where vitamins and minerals and their co-factors are lacking and provide insight into protein digestion.
Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay (GI Map)
The GI Map is an innovative tool that measures gastrointestinal microbiota DNA from a single stool sample, with state of the art, quantitative PCR technology.
This test can detect microbes that may be disturbing normal microbial balance contributing to illness, as well as an indicator of digestion, absorption, inflammation, and immune function.
Fasting Insulin
Insulin resistance is usually the first thing to occur before increased blood sugar levels are detected, yet most conventional doctors don’t test for this. High fasting insulin levels could indicate type two diabetes, heart disease, early onset mental cognition issues and more.
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