Your nutritional programme may, with your agreement, include functional laboratory tests and/or nutritional supplements. Functional lab tests aim to identify nutrition status, any imbalances, and/or pathogens, which may be present that may be contributing to poor health. If testing is considered necessary, clear guidance on it will be provided during your consultation. Any costs will be in addition to the consultation fee. Results are used in conjunction with information collected at the consultation to help fine-tune your nutritional programme, allowing more rapid and cost-effective result.

Please note that NutriBelle has no underlying business interest in any specific manufacturer or supplier.

These tests may help to:

  • Improve decision making
  • Reduce uncertainty
  • Provide objective data
  • Guide therapy decisions and modifications
  • Assess efficacy of treatment protocols
  • Assess client progress
  • Individualise recommendations.
  • Identify potential issues that other practitioners haven’t spotted e.g. nutrient deficiencies

Some of the most frequently used functional tests include:

Blood Test

Functional blood testing is a crucial tool for achieving optimal health. Although not mandatory, I often recommend it based on your individual case history and symptoms. Instead of relying on trial and error, comprehensive blood tests provide a complete view of your body’s systems, delivering precise insights to identify the root of your health concerns. By examining a broad range of biomarkers, we can understand how different systems interact and tailor your treatment for maximum effectiveness. Combining these insights with your case history enables us to address your symptoms more precisely and efficiently, paving the way towards your health goals.

Stool analysis

A Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis provides an informative and flexible screening of gastrointestinal function. It evaluates digestion, metabolism and absorption of nutrients, the gut flora environment, potential parasites, yeasts and pathogenic bacteria, as well as inflammatory markers.

It provides immediate, actionable clinical information for patients presenting with GI symptoms (such as gas, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and constipation) and aids clinicians in the identification of root cause(s) of digestive discomfort and supports identification of targeted treatments.

Organic Acids Test (OAT)

Organic acids are the by-products of human cellular activity, the digestion of foods and the metabolism of gastrointestinal flora. The organic acid test evaluates yeast and bacterial overgrowth, vitamin and antioxidant levels, fatty acid metabolism, neurotransmitter levels, oxalates, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, detoxification and much more.

They are analysed in urine rather than blood serum because they are not extensively reabsorbed in the kidney tubules after glomerular filtration. Dietary and supplemental interventions following an OAT assessment have led to a number of reported improvements by patients and practitioners including reduced fatigue, improved energy, better concentration and decreased gastrointestinal symptoms. For this reason, organic acid testing is strongly recommended as an initial clinical screening tool.

Allergy/intolerance Testing

Many people these days think they have food allergies, but what they actually have is a food intolerance. An allergy (affects about 3% of the population) is a severe, almost immediate reaction to food with symptoms that can range from difficulty breathing, rashes, swelling, runny nose and in some cases, a life- threatening anaphylactic shock.

Intolerances are more common (may affect 40% of the population at some time in their life)

and characterised by a delayed response which will normally be a few hours to a few days.

A person can be intolerant to multiple foods and experience a number of symptoms such as:

  • Bloating, constipation
  • Fatigue and brain fog
  • Asthma
  • Sinusitis and Rhinitis
  • Irritable bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Fluid retention
  • Migraines and headaches
  • Eczema, rashes and other skin disorders.

The underlying trigger for food intolerances may often be the poor health of the gut. The gut lining is only a few cells thick and is easily damaged which then increases its permeability. Partially digested food particles are then able to pass through the barrier into the blood stream and are recognized by the immune system as foreign invaders. This condition may lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmune responses in any organ or tissue.

A food intolerance test will allow a person to identify and eliminate key allergens, so that inflammation can be reduced and the gut lining and body can be given the opportunity to heal.

 Adrenal Stress Profile

Assesses the adrenal hormone cycle over a day (using carefully timed salivary samples of the hormones cortisol and DHEA) to determine its ability to react to stress. Imbalances in adrenal hormones can have a wide range of negative consequences that can adversely impact a patient’s overall quality of life

The symptoms of adrenal dysfunction can be vague, and are highly variable, but may include: fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, depression, GI complaints, and chronic pain, and is associated with many conditions including: hypertension, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal and immune, dysregulation, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, depression, chronic fatigue, persistent pain, neurodegenerative disease and cognitive decline

Adrenal Stress Profile testing can reveal these functional imbalances and provide direction for clinical intervention with targeted therapeutic treatments, such as nutrient support and/or adaptogens, stress management, behavioral modification, and lifestyle interventions.

Hormone Profile

 This urinary hormone test assesses parent hormones (including progesterone, oestrogen and testosterone), their metabolites, and key metabolic pathways to identify any imbalances, and it is designed to assist in the clinical management of hormone-related conditions. It provides information about the impact that shifting hormone levels can have in men (andropause or male menopause) and women (perimenopause/menopause), producing symptoms such as:

  • Weight gain
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Low sex drive and performance issues
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Mood instability
  • Brain fog
  • Hot flashes

Essential & Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis

This test assesses the critical balance between essential Omega-6/Omega-3 fatty acids, as well as additional key fatty acids important in metabolism and cellular function. Fatty acid imbalances can be a causative factor in a variety of chronic health conditions. The Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis can indicate the need for fatty acid supplementation and/or dietary modification.to investigate anti-inflammatory potential.

This test may be recommended for patient concerns including:

  • Chronic Pain/Inflammatory Conditions
  • Depression
  • Cardiovascular Risk
  • Weight Issues/Dietary Guidance