Clinical Nutrition

Clinical nutrition is the study of the relationship between food and good health.

A patient is evaluated based on their medical and family history, life style and laboratory tests. Treatment typically includes changes to diet and lifestyle as well as the use of supplements. To understand the role laboratory tests play we must start with an explanation of pathological and functional ranges of the tests. Pathological ranges are indicative of disease. Functional ranges are used to asses the risk for disease before disease develops.

For example, the functional range for glucose may be 85 -100 mg/dl, but the pathological range may be 65-110 mg/dl. Levels above the pathological range may indicate diabetes. Levels above the functional range but before they reach the extremes of the pathological range may indicate insulin resistance and future risk for developing diabetes. Conventional medical training is concerned with the diagnosis of disease and is rarely concerned with preventative medicine; therefore, patients are usually not consulted regarding the parameters of the functional range. Healthcare providers that practice preventive medicine are those most inclined to incorporate consulting with patients when their levels present outside of the functional range. If biomarkers can be managed before they fall within the pathological range, preventive medicine can be practiced.

Functional ranges have been determined by healthcare providers and researchers who embrace the principles of preventative medicine, such as those who practice diet, nutrition, and lifestyle changes. Much of the research regarding functional ranges has been established by well-respected organizations such as the American Association of Clinical Chemists (AACC). The AACC has many divisions, two of which include their division of preventive medicine and the division of nutrition.

Lab Tests for Metabolic Evaluation

1. Complete Thyroid panel

2. Complete metabolic panel (CMP) includes: Glucose, Calcium, Electrolytes, Kidney function, Liver Function

3. Lipid panel

4. CBC (complete blood chemistry)

5. Sensitivity Testing

From stool samples, we can determine if you have a sensitivity to gluten (wheat, rye, oats, and barley), milk, eggs, yeast and soy. If you do, it could be making your condition worse as it will increase inflammation in your brain and throughout your body. If you have the following symptoms, you could be suffering from sensitivity to gluten, soy, milk, eggs and/or yeast.

• Chronic pain or fatigue
• Frequent indigestion
• Feeling bloated after eating
• Frequent loose bowel movements
• Constipation
• Mouth ulcers or sores

6. Adrenal Stress Index (ASI)

We can test your adrenal glands with this salivary test. Your adrenal glands are your “stress” organs, meaning that they react to stress. In addition to feeling stressed and anxious, adrenal imbalances can produce insomnia. Insomnia is often caused by elevated cortisol hormone levels. Cortisol levels can be corrected via specific nutritional protocols.

7. Autoimmune Disorders – Immune Panels:

i.      Lymphocyte Subpopulation

ii.     TH1/TH2 Cytokine Panels

iii.     Natural Killer Cell Activity

The immune panels give us an in-depth picture as to what exactly is happening with your immune system. An autoimmune disease is where your own immune system attacks a particular area of the body (nervous system, joints, connective tissue, thyroid, etc.) so we test for specific antibodies to determine if you suffer from an autoimmune condition. If you are suffering from an auto-immune disorder, it trumps any previous diagnoses and treatment recommendations. It must be addressed first.

For example, some chronic pain/fatigue patients are diagnosed with hypothyroidism & treated with thyroid hormones, when they actually have an autoimmune disorder. When the immune system attacks the thyroid, giving the patients hormones will not address the cause. Only normalizing immune function can correct the underlying cause.

8. Heliobacter Pylori Infection Test

We can run a test for H.Pylori bacteria to determine any problems related to gastrointestinal function. This is assessed by stool sample to determine if it is impairing protein metabolism. It is estimated that 50% of the population have H. Pylori infections. This often manifests itself as chronic indigestion.

9. Intestinal Permeability (Actulose and Mannitol Challenge Test)

This test is used to determine if the patient suffers from leaky gut syndrome (LGS). LGS describes a condition of altered or damaged bowel lining, caused by antibiotics, toxins, poor diet, parasites or infection that can lead to increased permeability of the intestinal wall to toxins, microbes, undigested food, waste or larger than normal macromolecules. These tests are performed on urine samples.

10. Neurotransmitters

We test for decreased brain neurotransmitters, which are vital for proper brain function. Decreased neurotransmitters can cause increased pain.

11. Hormone Panels

We check sex hormones to determine if the patient suffers from low testosterone levels in males or low estrogen/progesterone levels in females. Symptoms related to decreased hormone levels may include depression, fatigue, mental fogginess, mood swings, hot flashes, sweating attacks, weight gain, and decreased physical stamina.

12. Inflammation

We may need to test your homocysteine levels and C-Reactive Protein (C-RP) for inflammation in your system. Many patients suffering from chronic health conditions suffer from inflammatory processes that result in pain and degeneration.

Craig's Story

Neck Pain Reduced by 80%

It had been a long time since I rock and rolled and my wife’s company was having a party at the Experience Music Project in Seattle. I danced the night away like I was thirty years younger. Two days later I could hardly move my neck. I started taking over-the-counter pain relievers which would allow me about two hours of sleep and then I would wake up and have to take more. I am a landscaper so the pain was severely restricting me in my work; it got so bad that it hurt just to shut my truck door. Since receiving decompression therapy, my neck pain has reduced by 80%! The “rice crispies” in my neck are also going away. It feels great to have my life back!   — Craig M., Lynnwood