Healthy Digestion
Digestion is the primary site for the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, which are essential for optimal energy production, growth, and repair.
The digestive tract houses a large part of our immune cells and is where our microbiome lives and grows. It is also where we produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which supports mood and sleep regulation and the detoxification of toxins and internal metabolites.
It is safe to say that good digestive health is crucial for our body's overall health and well-being.
Contributing factors for poor digestive health
Stress | food intolerances | poor diet | low stomach acid production | enzyme deficiencies | bacterial infections, i.e. SIBO or dysbiosis | microbiome imbalance | IBS | inflammation | inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's, Ulcerative colitis and Coeliac disease | genetics | medications | ageing | poor vagus nerve conduction | surgery.
The use of functional testing removes the guesswork and can shorten the length of time required to treat.
It is also a great way to track treatment progress. Although we strongly recommend testing, we understand it isn't always affordable for everyone. However, this does not mean we can't still support you through your health journey.
From here, an individualized treatment plan is formulated to include nutrition and lifestyle modifications and herbal and nutritional medicines.
Treatment plans are tailored to the individual to suit their specific health needs and budget.
Food allergy/intolerance testing
More often than not people are unaware that the foods they eat are causing their adverse reactions. This is common because the symptoms associated with food sensitivities occur hours, even days after the offending food has been eaten. This is known as an IgG allergy immune response where the hypersensitivity reaction is delayed.
Conditions and symptoms associated with IgG food allergies include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, IBS, nausea, reflux, sinusitis, fatigue, headaches, migraines, mood swings, depression, anxiety, behaviour problems especially seen in children, autoimmune disease and skin conditions.
Over time, the immune response that occurs from food sensitivities start to reduce the integrity of the gut lining causing damage and hence, may be the underlying cause of the symptoms mentioned above.
The IgG allergy test involves a finger prick blood sample which analyses 96 different foods as well as testing for the presence of Candida albicans. Treatment involves identifying and eliminating food allergens while we work to strengthen and heal the gut wall.
The Benefits of Testing
- Helps to identify whether the food you are eating is contributing to physical, mental and emotional symptoms.
- Research and clinical studies suggest food allergies identified by IgG testing can be major contributing factors to many chronic health conditions.
- By eliminating all identified food allergens after testing can reduce stress on the immune system, decrease inflammation, resolve food cravings and improve symptoms.
Testing
Naturopathic Physical Observations
- Hair, skin, nails, iris, tongue, ears
- Blood pressure, pulse
- Iridology
- Zinc test
- Muscle testing
- Vitality
- BMI (weight, height, muscle mass)
Gastrointestinal Tract Testing (Gut)
- Food Allergies (IgA/IgE)
- Microbiome testing
- Small Bowel Intestinal Bacteria (SIBO)
- Intestinal Permeability testing
- Coeliac Disease Gene test
Profile Testing
- General wellness profile (FBC, E/LFT, CRP, Iron Studies)
- Cardiovascular Profile (Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL/LDL, High Sensitivity CRP, Homocysteine, glucose)
- Coeliac Profile (Gliadin IgA & IgG, Transglutaminase Abs)
- Thyroid Profile (TSH, T3, T4)
- Thyroid Extensive Profile (THS, T3, T4, Thyroid Tissue Antibodies, Thyroid Receptor Antibodies, Reverse T3)
- Diabetic Profile (Glucose, HbA1c, urine Albumin, Urine Protein)
- MTHFR Gene Testing
- Urine Pyrroles
Hormone Testing (male and female)
- Cortisol/ DHEA
- FSH/LH, Testosterone, Oestradiol, Progesterone
- Prolactin
- Parathyroid Hormone
- Adrenal hormone profile
- Baseline hormone profile – Female(E1, E2, E3, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, DHEA-S)
- Baseline hormone profile – Male (E1, E2, Testosterone, DHEA – S, Cortisol)
- DUTCH testing
Vitamin and Mineral Testing
- Active Vitamin B12
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin D (1, 25 OH)
- Folate
- Iron studies
- Zinc | Copper
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Iodine
- Selenium
- Homocysteine
Each test is an additional cost and will be discussed within your consult.