The answer: EVERYTHING!
I am excited to share an update on my practice as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner.
The core principle of the Nutritional Therapy Association program is digestion. Based on my practice to date, I realized that I wasn’t going to be able to do the real work of healing without first assessing gut health and digestion in a more scientific, data-driven manner.
Digestion is the most important healing priority because when it’s not optimal, a cascade of downstream detrimental effects are created that can lead to a plethora of health issues. Many conditions can be linked to digestion; from the inability to release weight, migraines, skin conditions, and even poor sleep.
I have completed an advanced training course entitled: “Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing,” and now have access to powerful tools that I did not previously have: the GI MAP DNA stool test, and the MRT170 Food Sensitivity blood test.
The GI MAP is an at-home stool test that provides an enormous amount of accurate information. It’s the only true way to know if there is a dysbiosis - imbalance of good, bad, and commensal bacteria, or an infection in your digestive system. It’s also the best way to determine if there’s a functional issue, meaning the capacity to digest has been impaired, and it’s ability to repair has been damaged. It uses DNA sequencing analysis to assess health benefits or disease risks from microorganisms that inhabit the GI tract. This is above and beyond culturing or microscopy that can miss up to fifty percent of bacterial species. It’s also fully automated, so the chance for human error is minimal. For these reasons, it’s considered the most sensitive stool test on the market, and has been approved by the FDA.
Why is this so important?
Because specific strains of bad bacteria can be the root cause of your health problems.
For example, the pseudomonas spp. strain of bad bacteria can cause UTIs, diarrhea, and intestinal permeability.
Here's a short video that explains the GI-MAP test:
This is page 1 of a sample report.
The second tool, the MRT170 Food Sensitivity test, boasts a sensitivity rating of 94.5% with specificity at 91.7%, which is truly the gold standard in the industry. The Mediator Release Test indirectly measures the release of mediators, and has the ability to test 170 foods and chemicals. As an endpoint test, it measures outcomes of all non-IgE hypersensitivity reactions, of which there are many that originate from a variety of different mechanisms. Because it quantifies the degree of reactivity of each food and chemical, I am able to guide your diet for complete healing, and limit the potential of developing new sensitivities during the healing process.
This is a sample report. Red = reactive, avoid for 6 months, yellow = moderately reaction, avoid for 3 months, and the "high greens" (5/6 of the way to the line) are eaten every 3 - 4 days.
The combination of these two powerful tests enables me to identify and remove your food triggers, and address any and all issues identified on the stool test including “healing and sealing” the small intestinal lining. This is what will prevent you from developing new and different sensitivities. If you completed the MRT170 without a stool test and removed your sensitive foods, you would likely feel better almost immediately because a huge burden has been lifted off the immune system. However, if we don’t also address your gut issues, including intestinal permeability, and thus resolve the mechanism by which these food sensitivities were created in the first place, you are highly likely to develop sensitivities to the new and different foods you are eating, and I wouldn’t have helped you truly heal.
Through the use of these tools, I will understand and honor the healing priorities of your body, discover the driving issues and blocking factors that have caused your imbalances, and create a specific, customized, highly effective healing protocol.
I'm excited to provide you with solid data to determine your gut health status, and look forward to helping you resolve your health issues using this protocol that includes state of the art stool and blood testing, a temporary specialized diet, lifestyle adjustments, and supplements. Through the use of these tools, I will understand and honor the healing priorities of your body, discover the driving issues and blocking factors that have caused your imbalances, and create a specific, customized, highly effective healing protocol.
Your insurance may cover these tests, and if you have a health saving account, it can be used to pay for the supplements.
Got questions? Need more information? Contact me to schedule a free, 20 minute consultation.
FUN FACT:
I have just completed testing myself and have begun my H Pylori and dysbiotic bacteria eradication protocol today. I would be happy to share my experiences with the process with you as I proceed through these next three months without chocolate, coffee, and alcohol.
