Diet is something that MUST be individualized. There is no single diet that is ideal for everyone. Our doctors choose from an array of suggestions, leaning heavily on metabolically-focused suggestions, such as ketogenic diets, Mediterranean Ketogenic diets, low-carb diets and paleo. As we dive deeper into an individual’s history, bloodwork and epigenetics, we continually tailor the specific needs for each person, evolving closer and closer to a plan that assists in the full resolution and healing of both acute and chronic complaints.
In most cases, specific testing helps determine the ideal dietary needs for an individual patient. These are a few of the assessments we offer:
Epigenetic Screening
The one-time Nutrition Genome test covers a broad array of ‘Single Point Mutations’, also known as “SNPs”, indicating where there is likely compromised function in the enzymatic functioning. We can also evaluate your SNPs to see how well you digest or utilize certain foods or not. While the implications of the test reaches far beyond diet, this is one aspect of how we individualize our suggestions to each patient. We have an appointment type of its own just for reviewing this in-depth genetic information!
Food Intolerance Evaluation (FIE)
In some cases, it is necessary-or just easier- to investigate which foods the patient is inherently not digesting. Dr. Erin uses a traditional naturopathic evaluation to assess this called the “Food Intolerance Evaluation”, originally known as The Carroll Test, named after Otis G. Carroll, a naturopathic doctor who lived and practiced in the 1940’s and 1950’s.
Knowing that conventional allergy tests, such as skin prick or RAST tests, only reveal the most severe of immediate hypersensitivity reactions, Dr. Erin initially used alternative lab tests that showed delayed hypersensitivity reactions, i.e. those that reveal an immune response 24-48 hours later. These tests, such as IgG antibody tests or Elisa immunoassays, reveal elevated IgG antibodies or white blood cells, but do not consistently correlate with patient’s symptoms. Frustrated by all of this, and not wanting to waste patient’s money, we often start with this assessment that has been in clinical practice for nearly 100 years.
This naturopathic diet evaluation takes a few drops of the patient’s blood and is analyzed to determine which class of food and/or which combination of foods are not digestible by the person. This lack of digestibility creates greater problems than just gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Since indigestibility means a person will be mounting a degree of endogenous toxicity, a ‘dietary error’ can wreak havoc on all of the patient’s symptoms, even those outside of the GI tract, such as the heart or skin.
The foods found on this test are not a long, unrelated list of foods as are often seen on food sensitivity tests, but rather usually a class of foods, such as ‘potato’, ‘fruit’, ‘milk’, or a combination of foods, such as ‘fruit with sugar’ or ‘potato with grain’.
Many of these foods are hidden in additives and other ingredients. The test results come with a comprehensive list of what to watch for, since one might not think they eat much potato! Since even a small amount of a food can interrupt digestion of other foods, it is important to uncover what they are in those persons with chronic disease.
You must be a patient to receive this test, please contact our office for more information.
Cyrex Labs Arrays
When there is a complicated case, severe sensitivities or a mystery issue with food that is not resolving with our typical approaches, this CLIA-certified laboratory gives our doctors a range of tests to determine and clarify root issues. From food sensitivities to clarification regarding autoimmjunity, this is the list of most common arrays our physicians use to help patients clarify needs. View all of our available Cyrex tests here!
- Food Immune Reactivity Screen
- Gluten-Associated Cross-Reactive Foods and Foods Sensitivity
- Intestinal Antigenic Permeability Screen
- Irritable Bowel/SIBO ScreenTM
- Alzheimer’s-Associated Immune Reactivity
- Multiple Autoimmune Reactivity Screen
- Blood Brain Barrier Permeability Screen
- Multiple Mucosal Immune Reactivity Screen