Functional Testing & Nutrigenomics
Diet and lifestyle modifications are transformative but we may need more evidence to establish the root cause of ongoing symptoms or disease.
Functional Testing
Functional testing provides a short cut to the facts whether we are exploring leaky gut, hormone imbalances, low immunity, or exposure to very specific toxins and bacteria. In contrast to conventional testing which looks for markers to diagnose an illness, functional testing provides insight into the physiology of the body identifying dysfunction and imbalance. This level of detail provides the nutritional therapist with a deeper understanding of how the client’s body is functioning and can be invaluable in ascertaining the root cause of many complaints.
Functional testing provides accuracy and a marker for comparison when you retest whether your goals are immediate or preventative and many clients benefit from having a quantitative measure of their own progress.
The selection of test panels available is broad, with the most comprehensive providing assessment of entire body systems such as cardiovascular health, gastrointestinal efficiency and hormone function while targeted tests identify the presence of specific bacteria, toxins, food intolerances and nutritional status. The kits are delivered to and collected from your door and while a few tests require a blood draw the majority use blood spot, urine and stool samples.
Nutrigenomics
Nutrigenomics examines the relationship between nutrients, diet and gene expression, in other words how the food you eat affects the activation of your genes and the impact this has on your body function. DNA testing identifies how your individual genotype affects key biological pathways therefore, it provides me with enhanced information to optimise your diet, supplement and lifestyle recommendations.
Genetically human beings are 99.9% identical. It’s the 0.1% that makes you unique and holds the key to understanding your underlying health risks and vulnerabilities. Small variations in your genetic code known as SNP’s (single nucleotide polymorphisms) influence your metabolic processes making you more or less predisposed to various health conditions.
DNA testing reveals how your specific SNP’s influence inflammation, brain health, metabolic health, hormone balance, nutrient requirements, food intolerances and ageing.
Crucially, your genes alone do not dictate your destiny. It’s the interaction between your environment and your genes that determines your overall health and wellbeing. Markers sit on your genes that react to factors such as sleep, stress, diet, exercise and your environment and this results in the activity of the gene being increased/reduced or even turned on or off entirely. Consequently, you can influence the way your genes are expressed through diet and lifestyle adjustments.
Three Steps
Step 1
Taking your sample
- Collect your blood spot sample
- Kits are delivered & collected from your home.
Step 2
Analyse DNA
- DNA is analysed at the dnalife laboratory
- Your results are sent to your practitioner within 10-15 working days
Step 3
Explore your DNA
- Your practitioner notifies you once your results have been returned to set up a consultation
It’s important to discuss the appropriate DNA tests for you. A variety of panels are on offer providing results relevant to your specific health concerns. Popular investigations include:
dnamind
Gives insight into the functioning of biological areas that influence: neurodegenerative disorders including cognitive decline and late onset Alzheimer’s disease; addictive behaviour; mood regulation such as stress response, anxiety and depression.
dnaoestrogen
Guides personalisation of diet, hormone and nutritional supplement recommendations to improve oestrogen metabolism. Unbalanced oestrogen metabolism has been associated with: increased risk of breast, ovarian, prostate and colon cancer; endometriosis and PMS symptoms.
Medcheck
This pharmacogenomics test analyses gene variants that affect drug response and determine how you are likely to respond to certain medications (therapeutic benefits & side effects) allowing your doctor to make personalised prescriptions where necessary. Medcheck reports on +200 prescription medications.
Other panels include: dnahealth, dnadiet, dnasport, dnaskin, dnaactive, growbaby, dnapain, dnarisk, dnaresilience, dnasmile
Nicky was absolutely brilliant with my daughter who had developed chronic anxiety when flying. This presented itself as random panic attacks and had also started to become present with other forms of transport such as the school bus. Nicky was patient and put my daughter at ease instantly. The treatment was fun, easy to understand and Nicky gave her a ‘tool kit’- made up of physical remedies and emotional tools- which meant we were able to fly internationally without any issues. We’ve had no recurrence and my daughter still travels with her ‘Nicky bag’ wherever we go.
Nicky also helped my son with some digestive issues and both my children always talk very positively about the entire experience. I simply cannot recommend her highly enough.