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 SEPTEMBER - SEPTEMBRE - SEPTIEMBRE 2008 / Volume 4, Issue Nº 9 |
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THE FIVE MOST IMPORTANT HEALTH TESTS After the initial in-depth consultation and evaluation, I select health tests according to what I believe is going to give us (me and my patient) the most important and accurate information needed for healing his / her condition. Clearly, testing takes the guess work out, but testing appropriately is even more important. Many of you have had the experience to go to your doctor with symptoms and malaises where the doctor runs blood tests only to see them come back totally normal. Then, the doctor tells you, “…there is nothing wrong with you”, and that you should simply “…increase your exercise and eat more vegetables”. This is a typical scenario and this is one of the reasons that people chose to come see me, so I can look at their health from and with a different perspective. A blood test is a fine and is a valuable tool which looks at certain specific markers. I often ask my patients to bring me their latest blood test results so I can verify where their white cells, red cells, sugar, lipids, and so forth are at. However, in my field, which is preventive medicine, we know very well that the blood will be the last indicator to be disturbed. This is called HOMEOSTASIS, which means that the body makes every effort to preserve balanced and constant blood level markers. In other words, it is more important for the body to keep the blood in balance than it is to keep the saliva, urines or stools in balance. This is why the tests I use are taken from SALIVA, URINES, or STOOLS and HAIR, which can DETECT VERY EARLY INDICATIONS AND DISTURBANCES. HAIR TEST ANALYSIS: By taking a simple hair sample at the base of the neck, about 1½ inches long from right at the scalp, we are looking at a 3-month window of your body’s functions. Hair test analysis reveals minerals and heavy metal content. The minerals analyzed are Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Zinc, Chromium, Selenium, and Phosphorus. The Heavy Metals are Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic, and Aluminum. A HAIR TEST allows me to know very quickly if a person is deficient in these minerals and, if he / she suffer from Heavy Metal Poisoning. But the most interesting part of HAIR TEST analysis is the study of the ratio between certain minerals. For example, the ratio between Calcium and Magnesium is representative of BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL. So if this ratio is off balance, I know that the blood sugar of the person is either too low or too high. This is extremely important because it can detect early onset of diabetes as well as early onset of hypoglycemia. I do believe that blood sugar imbalances contribute too many diseases from adrenal fatigue, chronic inflammation, or cardiovascular disorders. A HAIR TEST done on a child will determine very early if he / she is prone to blood sugar imbalances, which contribute to mood disorders, but also can help to avoid this child to develop diabetes later in life. The second ratio analysis is between Calcium and Potassium. This ratio reveals how your THYROID GLAND functions at the CELLULAR LEVEL. What I mean by cellular level, is that by taking a hair sample we are looking at inside the cells like a little biopsy. We are looking at the internal functioning of a gland. So I will be able to determine very early if the THYROID GLAND is working at its optimum level or not, sometimes 20 years or more before it shows up in a blood test. The third ratio is Sodium / Magnesium which looks at ADRENAL FUNCTION , and can determine if the adrenals glands are in hyper or hypo function. As you have heard me say before, I believe that adrenal fatigue is the 21st Century Stress Syndrome. I very rarely see someone with normal adrenals as we live in a century of constant stressful situations. The fourth ratio is Sodium / Potassium which looks at the IMMUNE SYSTEM and OVERALL VITALITY. This ratio is extremely important as it is the “barometer” of the body. If it goes too high, it means that the body is dealing with some type of stress. If it goes too low, it means that the body reserves are exhausted. The fifth ratio is Zinc / Copper. This ratio affects many body functions such as HORMONES, LIVER, GALLBLADER, and the CARDIO-VASCULAR SYSTEM . I rarely see this ratio to be the right number, because very often Copper levels are very high, and Copper can be toxic to the body. The sixth and last ratio is Calcium / Phosphorus and represents the AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM as well as the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. This ratio gets disturbed by inappropriate diet and / or stress, two factors that are very common in our modern society. I consider HAIR TEST ANALYSIS as my primary testing because it reveals so much information in such easy and very affordable manner. I believe that we should all test our hair at least once a year to get a good idea of our overall body functions. It is a very good test to do on children, and for me as a practitioner it is an invaluable tool. FOOD ALLERGY TESTING: I have learned over the years that testing food allergies can be very tricky as we usually see a lot of false positive or false negative. But some methods can also be very precise and very accurate. I have been working with a laboratory that specializes in food allergy testing which produces test results that are 74% accurate! I have been using this laboratory by the name of ALCAT Laboratories now for several months and with great success. This test requires a blood draw and test from 50 to 200 different foods. It also offers testing for food additives, colorants and molds, which can be a culprit in some children’s behavior. A detailed report is sent to me and the patient with a chart of the foods you are reacting too as well as a guide to help you manage your new diet. I believe that it is extremely important to know which food you may react to, because it creates a constant source of inflammation. We now know that inflammation is at the source of many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, allergies and arthritis but also auto-immune diseases, or even chronic pain and fatigue. Hippocrates, “the Father of Western Medicine”, stated in 400 BC, “May Food be your Medicine and Medicine be your food.” However sometimes healthy foods such as garlic, broccoli, grapes or fish can be sources of extremely detrimental health symptoms. Only the appropriate testing such as the one used by ALCAT Laboratories can help identify reactions to different foods. After removing them, it produces dramatic results in improving my patient’s overall health. HORMONE TESTING: Hormones are such strong chemicals in the body that it is very important to determine if they are in balance when you want to address any health issue. This test is done through Saliva or Urines preferably, which measures the hormones isolated from proteins. In the blood, hormones are bound (tied to) to proteins and thus, they are not as easily isolated as they are in Urines or Saliva testing. Hormone Testing is done at home, and there are several options to collect the samples according to which hormones we need to be tested. One of my favorite hormonal tests is the one that measures hormones throughout the complete cycle of a menstruating woman . It consists of collecting 11 samples of Saliva throughout the month from day one of a period to day one of the next period. This means that it doesn’t look at a short window of time, but rather at the whole cycle, which allows me to see fluctuations of hormones correlating with symptoms such as PMS, insomnia, mood swings, etc. When a woman is not menstruating then I chose Urine test that measures estrogens, progesterone, testosterones, cortisol and DHEA, all in one sample collection. As we age levels of these hormones often become imbalanced. Using these tests will make a dramatic difference in choosing which supplement or which natural hormones are the most appropriate for a patient. Testosterone is another important hormone that needs to be tested for both men and women. In males Testosterone starts a slow decline beginning in the early 30’s. Then after age 60, many men have very low testosterone, which translates into lack of energy, decreased libido, decreased concentration, insomnia, night sweats, depression, weight gain, infertility and even hot flashes. Cortisol and DHEA are important because of their role in Adrenal health. Cortisol levels can be too high or too low in the case in Adrenal exhaustion, a common cause of fatigue and weight gain. DHEA is associated with skin elasticity, well being, and cardiovascular health. After a person has been on a supplement’s regimen or on natural hormones, I re-test them to verify that the hormones are balanced and in a correct ratio, as it is important to avoid any excess level of any hormone. DIGESTIVE PANEL: The Digestive System is THE most important key to good health. As I explain very often to my patients, your health depends a great deal on what you eat but also, on what you can digest. If you don’t digest properly, then you don’t absorb properly, and you become malnourished, which can create any number of health imbalances. This test is also done at home by collecting Saliva and Stools samples. The reputable laboratory I use is called Diagnos-Tech. It analyses bacterial overgrowth, parasites, worms, fungus and any flora disturbances, called dysbiosis. It also determines if there is a lack of digestive enzymes, which is very common; signs of inflammation in the small intestines and / or in the large intestines, and food intolerances (gliadin, milk, egg, and soy). It is a very comprehensive test that brings me extremely important information on the digestive system of my patients. Once I receive the results, the first step is to know which infectious agent the patient is suffering from. The second step is to treat it with herbs and supplements. The third step is to rebalance the flora. The fourth step is to repair any damage that was done to the mucosa of the digestive system. I do believe that a lot of chronic diseases such as inflammatory diseases, pain, fatigue, and auto-immune disease have their origin in the digestive system. The digestive system is also often the root cause of allergies, IBS, IBD, Crohn’s disease, colitis, weight issues and metabolism impairment. When I was studying Naturopathy in France, a Swiss Homeopath told us that 80% of our ailments come from the digestive system. This phrase surprised me so much that it stuck in my mind. Now, with 21 years of practice and experience, I truly believe it! COMPREHENSIVE METABOLIC PROFILE: This profile is the latest test I introduced into my practice. This tests measures organic acids, which are key compounds of many biological pathways. Organic acid testing provides critical insights into the functioning of the Krebs cycle in the mitochondria (cells). Because the Krebs cycle provides the energy required for the body to function, any disruption in its flow can be disastrous to health. This profile is done in the convenience of your home through Urines and Blood Spots . The Blood Spot is a simple prick of the finger that you can do yourself. This is the best test to look at which vitamins, enzymes, co-enzymes, and mineral deficiencies you may have. It takes out all of the guess work. It provides a glimpse of your own biochemical “thumbprint”. It also shows if the current supplements you are taking are actually doing their job, or if they are being correctly absorbed. Every one of us has a very particular biochemistry; therefore every one of us has a different need for supplements. Some individuals may be deficient in Vitamin E while others need extra Coenzyme Q10, regardless of apparent cardiac issues or concerns. This test is very important for both those seeking to fine tune or increase a supplement’s program effectiveness or anyone beginning a supplement regimen. This test also determines some neurotransmitter deficiencies which are important for brain chemistry balance. This allows me to determine the best supplementation for someone who suffers from depression as a way to know if I am going to use either Serotonin or GABA, or even Dopamine. A plus added to the organic acid testing is the measurement of the “good” fatty acids, such as Omega 3’s and 6’s but also the “bad” fats called “hydrogenated fats”. So, no cheating is possible, even if you have told me that you have been avoiding French fries or Kentucky Fried Chicken, I will see if it is true or not ☺. Between Hair Test Analysis, Food Allergy Testing, Hormones Testing, Digestive Panel, and Comprehensive Metabolic Profile, I believe I have the best tools available in Alternative Medicines to help me build a supplement program that is specific for my patient’s individual needs. In my practice, I have noticed dramatic improvement in the overall quality of my patient’s health after they have begun a supplement regimen based on these tests. I don’t use them all at once. I select them according to what I believe is the most important testing that needs to be done, and I prioritize them. For individuals who want to be serious about improving their overall wellness, taking some of these tests is a crucial step toward better health. WE HAVE MOVED OUR OFFICE
On Monday, 18 August 2008 Béatrice Levinson, Naturopath / Monterey Bay Naturopathy Inc. MOVED JUST ACCOSS THE STREET! Our telephone and fax numbers remain the same. There is AMPLE PARKING behind the building. It is best to enter through the rear door directly from the parking lot. Suite107 is the second suite on the right coming in the rear (from the parking lot) entrance. Béatrice Levinson, Naturopath Yours in Health,
The entire contents of HEALTH AWARENESS are based upon the opinions of Beatrice Levinson, Naturopath, unless otherwise indicated. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as an offering and sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Beatrice Levinson, Naturopath within the U.S. and Europe. Beatrice Levinson, Naturopath encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
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