To see if protein intake is adequate, or if digestion is functioning properly, you can measure the amino acids in the blood. Amino acids are used to make red blood cells, white blood cells, anti-bodies, hair, skin, nails, bone, muscle, digestive and metabolic enzymes, hormones (thyroid, insulin), neurotransmitters, and more.

The Amino Acid Finger Stick Test can be done at home. Other options: A plasma 40 amino acid test, or a urine 40 amino acid test.

The human adrenal gland secretes its steroid hormones in a 24-hour cycle (circadian rhythm) with the highest value in the morning and the lowest value at night. An abnormal adrenal rhythm can influence many functions of the body: energy production, the immune system, sleep quality, thyroid function, and more. This test can be helpful for individuals with: chronic stress or stress maladaptation, lack of vitality and energy, hypoglycemia, migraine headaches, osteoporosis, sleep disturbances, poor memory, low sex drive, low body temperature, and other complaints.

For more info visit: DiagnosTechs

Osteoporosis occurs when the rate of bone breakdown (osteoclasts) outpaces bone rebuilding (osteoblasts). This urine test is used to see how fast bone tissue turns over by measure a bone specific compound in your urine. The higher the bone turnover, the higher the requirement for bone building nutrients will be (the higher your risk for osteoporosis).

You can add these tests to your “Wellness Profile” or order them individually. They are included in the Cardio ION™ and the LPP+ Profile. These heart disease risk factors are independent of cholesterol levels. Elevated levels are associated with a higher risk of heart disease, even if you have perfect cholesterol levels. Question: “Why do most doctors put you on cholesterol medication without considering these factors?” Order these tests if you have a family history of heart disease, eat poorly, or lead a high stress life style:

1. Homocysteine – a potent cause of arterial damage that may be responsible for as many as 20 percent of all cases of arterial disease and damage, second only to oxidized cholesterol as a cause of this #1 public health problem.

2. High Sensitive C‑Reactive Protein (hsCRP) – elevated levels of c‑reactive protein have been shown to correlate with arterial disease in healthy men and women. Anti‑inflammatory medication may be indicated to help in decreasing arterial disease.

3. Fibrinogen – one of the clotting factors. High levels are associated with cardiovascular risk and Thrombosis.

4. Lp(a) – a rarely tested protein that is one of the most potent risk factors for arterial disease. Its importance has been validated in numerous scientific studies, yet it is infrequently measured and often explains why people with otherwise normal cholesterol panels develop arterial disease, accounting for up to 30 percent of all known cases.

5. Lipo Protein Particle Testing: Patients with a normal cholesterol value, but abnormal particle size or density and numbers, can be at serious risk for cardiovascular disease.

6. Lp-PLA2 – lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2. The newest independent risk factor. Relatively new, so still very pricy. For people with rupture prone plaque.

7. If you suspect your had a heart attack you should go see a physician. He will probably order creatine kinase, Troponin I and Troponin T, if it is within 2 weeks of the suspected occurrence.

8. Near future available test: “Oxidized cholesterol”. Oxidized cholesterol is the real culprit that starts the cardiovascular disease ball rolling.

How to do a quick evaluation: First get direct sunlight or bright white light. Then make a tight fist, with the palm facing you. Open your fist quickly and look at the color of your palm. If it is white you are low on carotenoids, if it is yellow you have a good amount of carotenoid. Rationale: Carotenoids are the fat soluble plants pigments that have antioxidant properties. They are stored in the subcutaneous fat layer under your skin. So we use your palms because they don’t suntan, there is no pigment to cover up the carotenoids. Next we make a tight fist to squeeze the blood (red) out of the palm area. Now we open the fist fast, to look at the color of the subcutaneous fat in the palm, before the blood rushes back in. Note: calloused hands have a yellow color as well.

The more exact way is to send a blood sample to Kronos Science Laboratories, Inc. This test evaluates your intake fruits, vegetables and whole grains by measuring the fat-soluble antioxidants (Carotenoids, CoQ10, and Vitamin E) that are present in your blood. Test for: Total Carotenoids (Carotene (Alpha), Carotene (Beta),

Cryptoxanthin (Beta), Lutein, Lycopene), Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate, Zeaxanthin, Total Tocopherols (Alpha, Delta, Gamma) found in your blood.

How to improve your antioxidant status: Go visit Carotenoid Complex and read about

the product (Click on the various boxes and pictures to find all the hidden links). This supplement is used to maximize your immune system. Add more colors to your diet. This supplement is a must for those, who are not eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day! Call (800) 749-2503 to order at a discount.

The Food Pharmacy® Software recommends which foods to eat, limit and avoid related to your diseases, allergies, blood type, and other factors, based on published scientific studies, including Dr. Power’s research, which is licensed to Food Pharmacy.

FoodPharmacy® software provides:

• Provide proven dietary strategies for over 250 acute and chronic medical conditions.*
• Treat multiple conditions without cross interference.
• Increase or decrease any nutrient in seconds.
• Adjust the ratios of protein, carbohydrate and fat as required.
• Eliminate allergens, toxins, junk food items, and harmful foods.
• Address a patient’s blood type, body type, metabolic type, Ayurvedic type and more.
• Create clear, color-coded food lists proven to increase patient compliance.
• Print the results in 26 different languages.
• Access cooking instructions, eating & shopping guidelines, and easy-to-do worksheets for patients.

Here is the best review: “Food Pharmacy Software brilliantly incorporates a multitude of nutritional factors and creates a one of a kind customized diet plan. It clearly answers the patient’s question ‘So what can I eat?'” by Jonathan V. Wright, MD, Author, World Renowned Physician and Teacher.

This test looks at the balance of polyunsaturated fats (omega-3 (fish oils), omega-6 (plant oils)), mono unsaturated fats (omega-9, plant oils), saturated fats and hydrogenated fats in either the blood plasma or in the red blood cell membranes (RBC). The balance of the different fats can determine the proportion of the different cell messengers that are made. Prostaglandins, thromboxanes, prostacyclins and leukotrienes are hormone-like compounds having great biological influence. They control or influence many body processes, including blood clotting, blood pressure, blood sugar, circulation, fertility, gastrointestinal secretion (digestion), immunity, inflammation, (poor) memory, menstrual cramps, pain and reproduction. These functions are involved in arthritis, asthma, cancer, depression, diabetes, eczema, glaucoma, (migraine) headaches, heart disease, irritable bowel, and other disorders. RBC fatty acid testing generally reflects the fatty acid makeup of the brain. Plasma fatty acid testing reflects more your recent fat consumption.

Consider the Estronex test to look at your estrogen metabolites. Certain metabolites are associated with a higher risk of breast, prostate, head and neck cancers. Others are more protective.

For details and background info read the article by Lord RS, Bongiovanni B, and Bralley JA, Altern Med Rev. 2002. 7(2): p. 112-29. Since then many more articles have been published.

Visit Diagnos Techs and click on “Tests and Panels” then look at the Female Hormonal and the Post Menopausal Hormone panels.

For more insight in female hormones and PMS also check out John Lee MD

The Bloodspot 30 foods allergy test is a quick way to see if food allergies are contributing to your fatigue, allergies, drainage, depression, food addiction, inability to lose weight and more. This inexpensive, easy finger stick test can be done at home and then send in. It test for 30 foods: almond, Aspergillus mix, beef, cashew, chicken, corn, crab, egg (whole), garlic, lobster, milk, mustard seed, oat, orange, peas (green), peanut, pinto bean, salmon, shrimp, soy, strawberry, sunflower, tomato, tuna, turkey, walnut, and wheat sensitivity. Other tests are also available.

The Allergix IgG4 Food Antibodies to 90 foods – Serum testing by Metametrix. IgG4 antibodies are associated with non-atopic or “delayed” food reactions that can worsen or contribute to many different health problems. These reactions are considered the most common form of immunologically mediated food intolerance. For this blood test you will receive a kit in the mail and directions to a laboratory in your neighborhood.

More extensive testing (very extensive) is provided by ALCAT. They provide sensitivity testing for food (50, 100, 150 or 200 foods), food additives (including aspartame), food colorings (including Red #40), environmental chemicals (including chlorine) and molds (including Aspergillus). You can also test for sensitivity to several antibiotics (including Penicillin), anti-inflammatory agents (including Tylenol) and pharmacoactive agents (including nicotine).

There are many more ways for the body to react to an offending substance than by producing antibodies. The ALCAT test uses whole blood, as opposed to serum. Rather than only checking for IgG and IgE antibodies formed in response to particular food proteins, it actually analyzes cellular changes that occur to the white blood cells when they are exposed to challenge substances like foods and chemicals. This methodology can detect responses that occur on any potential pathway (i.e.: IgG, IgA, IgM, complement, pharmacologic, toxic, lectin, etc.). Go to their website and click on “ALCAT Testing” and then select “Test panels” to see all the items they test for. We can arrange for you to have these tests done from coast to coast.

A. Gluten Sensitivity is not the same as celiac disease! There is celiac disease and there is non-celiac gluten-sensitivity. Both are underdiagnosed. Your average doctor will do a bloodtest for Gliadin (deaminated) antibodies IgA and IgG and also for Tissue Transglutaminase antibodies IgA and IgG. And if the is thorough he will also test for total SIgA. If the results are positive you are considered Celiac and might be scheduled for a biopsy to look for villous atrophy. If the results are negative you may very well be a non-celiac gluten sensitive person. Mixed results and more testing will help. Why this difference? Because the antibodies used in most tests are against a minor component of wheat protein called alpha-gliadin (33-mer). So the test misses any antibody reactions to many other components of wheat that can also elicit an immune response such as: alpha-gliadin (33-mer and 17-mer), gamma-gliadin (15-mer), omega-gliadin, glutenin, gluteomorphin, prodynorphin, and agglutinins. Don’t be too quick to rule out wheat as the cause of your health problems.

B. Consider Enterolab testing to see if you are at risk for celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Call 972-686-6869 or visit Entero Lab. The genetic testing is done by a cheek swab, which you can do at home Order the “Gluten Sensitivity Gene Test (Molecular HLA-DQB1 analysis)” for $149 and if you wish add “Panel E: Gluten Sensitivity Stool Panel” for $279 to confirm that you are reacting to gluten. This testing will also confirm if your offspring is at risk. They currently don’t test your total serum IgA output, which would tell you if you could mount a good response and validate the Panel E results. About 10% of the population has a hereditary low SIgA, which can result in a false negative result. You don’t have to consume gluten in the 3-6 months prior to your tests.

C. Consider better testing to make sure you are not gluten sensitive or are still getting gluten in your diet or are in contact with it (and therefore your healing progress is slowed down). Take a look at Cyrex Laboratories

· Array 1 – Mucosal Gluten Reactivity Screen. It is a saliva screen to assess the mucosal immune function and to look for gluten sensitivity and celiac disease. It can predict gluten sensitivity and celiac disease before they fully manifest themselves.

· Array 2 – Intestinal Antigenic Permeability Screen. It is currently the best intestinal permeability testing available. This new test looks for bacterial antigens in the bloodstream, proof that bacteria made it into the bloodstream (very bad). It also test for antibodies to the proteins that hold the tight junctions together, signifying breakdown of the tissue. Intestinal permeability can contribute to inflammation, food allergies.

· Array 3 – Wheat/Gluten Proteome Reactivity & Autoimmunity. This is the best test to look wheat & gluten sensitivity. It has 24 tests, IgA and IgG combined, that test for 14 factors that can indicate gluten sensitivity as opposed to the 2 sometime 3 tests that traditional medicine tests uses to determine if your are gluten sensitive. It is an excellent test to see if any other wheat derivates, not just gliadin are still getting in your body and affecting your health. If you don’t get much better on your gluten-free diet, then Array 4 or Array 2 are the follow-up tests.

· Array 4 – Gluten-Associated Cross-Reactive Foods and Foods Sensitivity. It tests for 28 food(components). It looks at foods that can cross react with gluten antibodies, dairy sensitivity. It also tests for sensitivity to new foods introduced in the gluten-free diet (amaranth) and foods that are

over-consumed on the gluten-free diet (rice, corn, potato)0 and to egg and soy.

· Array 5 – Multiple Autoimmune Reactivity Screen. This panel tests for antibodies to common auto-immunity diseases found with celiac disease. Celiac patients are more prone to autoimmune disease compared to the general population. These are predictive auto antibodies which can show up as early as 10 years before the onset clinical manifestations of the disease. Knowing the presence of these antibodies can motivate you to make lifestyle choices to delay or avoid the onset of the autoimmune disease.

This inexpensive test gives lots of good clues about your diet, digestion, mineral status (inc. mercury), and the balance between the various minerals.

Visit Trace Elements -> Click “Laboratory Services” -> “Sample Reports”, and click on any of the 3 pictures for more detail.

Do you know the hydration test? Where you pinch the skin on the back off your hand? If the skin stands up or slowly recedes you are considered dehydrated and in need of fluids. If the skin retracts quickly your hydration (and skin tone) are good. So rate yourself and use that as a guide of how much water you

need per day.

We use Array 2 by Cyrex Laboratories. This new test looks for bacterial antigens in the bloodstream, proof that bacteria made it into the bloodstream (very bad). It also test for antibodies to the proteins that hold the tight junctions together, signifying breakdown of the tissue.

For years we used Lactulose and mannitol recoveries to reflect permeability both between and through the intestinal epithelial cells. This new test looks for bacterial antigens in the bloodstream, proof that bacteria made it into the bloodstream (very bad). It also test for antibodies to the proteins that make hold the tight junctions together.

The lactulose reflects increased paracellular permeability (between the cells), which when elevated can result in macromolecules, toxins and antigens crossing the intestinal barrier into the lymph and circulatory systems, a condition termed “leaky gut”. These particles increase the load on the body’s detoxification system and may stimulate immune reactivity. Increased lactulose recovery has been associated with food allergy, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

Mannitol reflects increased transcellular permeability (through the cells), When elevated may reflect the passage of small antigens across the mucosal barrier, thereby triggering an immune response. This is a home test.