You may think metabolomics tests are reserved for very sick people, or for advanced clinicians. This is not true. These tests can be used to screen every patient. Once you learn how to interpret these tests, you will get outstanding results for your patients without the guesswork involved if you don’t use them.
This article is based on the teachings of Dr Dan Kalish, who is a strong advocate and highly experienced in using Metabolomics testing to achieve better patient outcomes.
Biochemistry, physiology and the big, complicated scientific words that go with them make metabolomics testing seem quite daunting. Too often practitioners are not taught the specific relevance of such tests for everyday practice and so they are often forgotten when working with patients.
Testing For Metabolic Dysfunction With Amino Acids And Organic Acids Testing
Prevention is better than cure. Rather than looking for markers of disease as conventional blood tests do, metabolomics testing identifies markers of metabolic dysfunction that may lead to chronic diseases. It is a way to measure whether the body is receiving and using nutrients to support optimal health.
You can think of the results from a metabolomics test as the warning lights in your car. Just as they warn you that there is a problem with the oil level, or the electrical system in your car, organic acids alert you to potential problems within the body.
When you order a metabolomics test for your patient, and you repeat the test every six months, you get a clear picture of what is happening with their metabolism. The four key areas the test provides information for are:
- Inflammation
- Catabolic physiology
- Insulin resistance
- Oxidative stress
That is just the tip of the iceberg. Not only do the tests tell you where the problem lies, they can inform you about what is being damaged. The problem could lie within the mitochondria, lipid metabolism or in the DNA.
Interpreting The Metabolomics Test Results
Metabolomics tests are only useful if you can interpret them. Due to the complicated nature of metabolism, biochemistry and physiology, the results you receive from the lab are simplified. You are able to tell at a glance which areas you need to focus on with your patient.
The markers are grouped together into categories which are ranked according to their severity: red is bad, yellow is okay and green is good. On the summary-by-section page you can get an idea of where the problem lies within each category, using the same rating scale of green, yellow and red.
To make it simple we recommend looking at just four key areas. Most of the metabolomic markers will fit into one of these four:
- Are the mitochondria functioning well?
- What’s happening with the neurotransmitters in the brain?
- Are the liver detox pathways running efficiently?
- Are there any problems with the gastrointestinal tract markers?
A Simple Way To Get Great Results With Metabolic Tests In Your Practice
The first few metabolomics tests you order can leave you feeling a little overwhelmed. If you are not yet familiar with all of the markers, you may be wondering how you are going to address your patient’s problems successfully. Do you have to give them a different supplement for each different marker?
We recommend having a simple go-to solution for each major section of the test. Using a combination supplement for the brain or the mitochondria, for example, means that you will get great results, without having to delve too deeply into understanding each of the markers. That will come over time as you order more tests and develop the knowledge you need to be able to address each individual marker for an even more personalised approach to treatment.
Starting with a simple solution will work for you and your patient. People don’t want to have to take a handful of individual nutrient supplements for each and every at risk marker in the metabolomics test report.
Change Metabolism Using Targeted Treatment Based On Metabolics Test Results
When you order a metabolomics test for your patients, you are ordering an assessment of their metabolic status. Each of the metabolites that are tested give you insight on how their body handles carboydrates, proteins and fats, and whether or not they are consuming too little of specific nutrients, or too much for their personal needs.
Used in combination with genomics testing, you get a clearer view of the bigger picture. It becomes more obvious which nutrients your patient would benefit from supplementing.
The OMX test results provide you with the information you need to make practical informed decisions about your patients’ health. Rather than looking for disease, you are looking for markers of metabolic dysfunction. When those markers are addressed your patient feels better and the root cause of chronic disease is treated before it becomes a problem.
