Knowledge is power. The more one knows, the more one will be able to control events. – Francis Bacon
Have you ever wondered what makes you unique? What are the factors that affect how your body respond to different foods, nutrients or lifestyle choices.
Functional testing can help. It shows how food, nutrients, and stress affect your body and it helps us create a personalised plan that addresses your unique needs.
Think of your body’s response to food and stress like a road trip. Functional testing helps us map out the route, identify any potholes or obstacles, and create a customised guide for navigating those challenges.”
But how does it work? And what kind of information can you get from a functional test?
What is functional Testing?
Let’s start with the basics: traditional NHS blood tests provide some useful information about overall health markers like cholesterol levels or glucose tolerance. They focus on detecting specific diseases or conditions, providing healthcare professionals with information about whether an individual is about to or has entered a state of disease.
In contrast, functional testing looks beyond diagnosis and provides insights into how well the body is functioning. By assessing physiological responses such as digestion, energy metabolism, and hormone balance. Functional testing helps identify potential imbalances or inefficiencies that can be addressed to support optimal health.
This is why you can get a blood test that says that everything is fine and still feel like something is not quite right. Some individuals might find it challenging to get taken seriously about their concerns, simply because there are no obvious red flags on their blood tests or investigations.
What can it tell me?
Functional testing looks at how your body functions in different areas.
Here are some examples of common functional tests:
Gut Function Tests
These assess the digestive system’s ability to break down and absorb nutrients. They help understand some tummy problems such as IBS symptoms such as bloating, constipation and diarrhoea patterns. It also helps us to assess inflammation in the gut, the presence of yeast (e.g. candida) and parasites infections, bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and intestinal permeability. Examples include: Stool analysis and Breath testing
Hormone Balance Tests
They assess the levels of key hormones that regulate various bodily functions, like thyroid function (e.g. TSH), adrenal function (e.g. cortisol), or sex hormone balance (e.g. oestrogen, testosterone, progesterone). They can be useful in cases of irregular, heavy or absence of periods, tiredness, weight gain or loss, stress etc. These can be done through blood, saliva or urine testing.
Allergy and Intolerance Testing
Evaluate your body’s response to specific allergens, helping identify potential food sensitivities or intolerances. Can use be done through skin prick or blood tests.
Comprehensive blood panel
Provides a detailed snapshot of your overall health by analysing various markers in your blood, including nutrient deficiencies, toxin levels, and inflammation indicators that may not show up on traditional lab tests.
Cardiometabolic Panel
This is an advanced test that evaluates risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) plus metabolic factors associated with metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes.
Energy Metabolism Testing
This evaluates how efficiently your body produces energy from food sources, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Mycotoxins Panel
Urine test that assesses toxins produced by mould and excreted in urine.
What can I do with this information?
These functional tests provide valuable insights into various aspects of human function, and can help you in the following ways:
- Understanding how your body functions, which can be empowering and relieving to know.
- Identifying hidden imbalances. You may have been feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms for years without knowing the underlying cause. A functional test can identify potential imbalances that were contributing to these issues.
- Personalised nutrition plan. With a better understanding of your body’s needs, your nutritional therapist can develop a personalised nutrition plan tailored to your specific requirements, which can improve digestion, energy levels and overall health.
- Reducing medication dependence. By identifying underlying nutrient deficiencies or imbalances, you may be able (with your doctor’s supervision) to reduce or eliminate medications that were masking symptoms rather than addressing the root cause of the issue.
- Improved mental clarity and energy. Many functional tests can provide insights into brain function, hormone imbalances or nutritional deficiencies that may be affecting your mood, cognitive function or energy levels.
- Reducing symptoms over time. By addressing underlying imbalances through dietary changes, supplements or lifestyle modifications, you may experience a reduction in symptoms over time.
Functional testing is an evolving field, and new tools and techniques are constantly being developed. Make sure you always speak to a registered nutritional therapist who can order and interpret functional tests.
Book a free chat with me to find out which test is right for you.
Mairo