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The whole problem of human health and
welfare is vastly different if the
population,
instead of being composed mostly of
individuals with normal attributes,
is made up of individuals all of whom
posses unusual attributes – individuals who
deviate from the normal range in several of
the numerous possible particulars.
Biochemical individuality thus becomes
basic to the solution of those problems
in which biochemical deviations ome into play.
-- Roger J. Williams, PhD,
from his groundbreaking work Biochemical
Individuality (1956) |
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Introduction |
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Biochemical
individuality – it sounds complex and rather
intimidating. But what does it mean and how
does it affect you and your health?
First, let’s take a look at what
individuality means. We often hear that
‘you’re one of a kind’ – unique
fingerprints, body type, and overall
appearance – all of it adds up to who you
are on the outside. But that uniqueness,
that individuality, is also a part of who
you are on the inside. We are unique in our
thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and
personality, which reflect our internal
unique self. All of these traits help to
define who we are as individuals, but an
often overlooked and under-appreciated
aspect of our uniqueness is the fact that
biologically and biochemically we are
individuals as well. We all share the same
basic needs and physiology, but within that
sameness are various levels and degrees of
normal for each person. What this boils down
to is that everyone has their own personal
requirements based on their biology in order
to function at optimal levels.
To see this in action, let’s look at an
example that most people can probably relate
to. One has to look no further than TV
commercials or the bestsellers at the
bookstore to know that we as a nation are
diet and weight obsessed. Commercials are
selling the latest weight loss miracle pill
and books are telling you how this diet is
the one you’ve been waiting for. The irony
is that all the different pills and diet
plans will almost always work for some
people, but almost as certain is the fact
that there will be others for whom it does
nothing and for still others, it will make
them gain weight! Chances are this has
happened either to you or someone you know.
And it is not just limited to weight loss
and diet pills. Who hasn’t tried something,
whether diet plan or product, that was
recommended by a friend, family member or
even a doctor, who just ‘swears by this’ or
who claims it always works for your problem,
only to find that it didn’t work for you?
Why does this happen time after time? It is
because your individuality, and therefore
personal requirements, has not been taken
into account. It turns into a game of serial
dieting or having half empty supplement
bottles stashed in a cupboard from all the
‘trial and error’ you’ve put yourself
through. What you needed all along was an
understanding of your needs metabolically
and biochemically to get on course.
Understanding your biochemical individuality
goes way beyond just making healthy food
choices though. It is especially important
for anyone who has a chronic health problem
or who wants to maximize health and
longevity. This is because when we are ill
our bodies are not getting what they need
both biophysically (energetically) and
biochemically. Illness is another way of
saying imbalance and this imbalance affects
us on all levels. The aspect that is easiest
for us to understand is the biochemical or
physical because it is the material ‘stuff’
that we are made of and is the focus of
conventional medicine and its drugs and to a
great extent, alternative medicine as well.
What is needed is a shift in thinking from
the disease / symptom model of ‘health’ to
an individualized and holistic approach –
even for the biochemical balance of our
bodies. What this means is to stop ‘treating
a disease’ and instead ‘treat the person
with an imbalance’. This allows us to move
away from ‘hit and miss’ results with not
only diets and nutritional products, but
with pharmaceuticals as well if conventional
medicine followed suit. When we take both
the quality and quantity of vital nutrients
into account for each individual then we
will have truly treated the whole person –
the ultimate goal of natural and holistic
therapy.
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How Do I Know What’s Right For Me? |
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While there are some people
who seem to instinctively and intuitively
know what they need to restore health and
balance, the rest of us might need a little
help in figuring this out. This is where
simple, non-invasive biochemical and
physiological tests are of great benefit in
helping us understand our own requirements.
These tests are based on sound scientific
principles and basic body physiology. The
results of these tests are then correlated
with the results from the Autonomic Response
Testing evaluation for a complete
nutritional, metabolic, and physiological
assessment. Let’s take a more in depth look
at the biochemical and physiological tests
and how they pinpoint areas in need of
metabolic support.
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Biochemical Testing – Simple, Objective,
Comprehensive |
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In order to assess the areas
of metabolic imbalance two types of
non-invasive testing are performed:
1. Tests of vital signs and neuro-endocrine reflexes
2. Tests of urine and saliva chemistries
These tests and their defining patterns of
imbalance have been determined by Nutri-Spec
and are based on the work of leading
physicians and biochemists such as Emmanuel
Revici, Thomas Riddick, George Watson,
Melvin Page, and Royal Lee.
In total, over 45 different tests will be
performed and evaluated to determine the
patterns of metabolic imbalance. It is these
patterns specific to each individual that
will be addressed, not the diagnosis or
condition. This is the cornerstone of
effectively implementing the concept of
biological individuality to any person with
any condition. These tests are also easily
monitored to determine changes in the course
of therapy. As metabolic balance is
restored, patterns shift and it can be
easily determined what is changing and how
best to tailor the nutritional support for
each person. No special preparation, such as
fasting, is required for these tests. Only a
few simple instructions need to be followed
prior to testing in order to assure the most
accurate results. While time of day does
play a role, it can easily be factored into
the results and should not pose a problem.
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The Five Fundamental Balances |
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How can a
mere 45 basic urine, saliva, and
physiological tests give a complete
understanding of the thousands and thousands
of biochemical reactions occurring all the
time in the human body? A good and valid
question. The answer to this lies in the
fact that these thousands of reactions do
not occur independently of each other. In
actuality the interdependence of one upon
the other is so great that they are under
the direction of a few ‘fundamental control
systems’. What this means is we need to
understand the bigger picture – what is
called the Five Fundamental Balances.
The Nutri-Spec system defines these as:
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Electrolyte Insufficiency
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Electrolyte Stress
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Water /
Electrolyte Balance
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Anaerobic /
Dysaerobic Balance
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Glucogenic
/ Ketogenic Balance
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Sympathetic
/ Parasympathetic Balance
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Acid /
Alkaline Balance
So what is
meant by a Fundamental Balance System?
Simply stated it is a way in which the body
maintains homeostasis in all its various
biochemical processes. The key to its
application in clinical nutrition is in
understanding that all normal physiological
processes involve the operation of one or
more Fundamental Balances as the means to
maintaining health. This means that these 5
systems named above are operating
simultaneously and their degree of balance
will determine our level of health.
How is this balance achieved by the body?
When the body needs to maintain a certain
biochemical or physiological process (i.e.
blood sugar levels) in homeostasis (balance)
it does so in a dynamic or ever-changing way
by the operation of alternating opposed
forces. This concept is called a dualistic
and diphasic model of physiological
processes.
Let’s use the example of blood sugar control
to help illustrate how this works. Normal
blood sugar levels are typically given as 70
-100 mg/dL, but in actuality it will
fluctuate above and below this normal level
over time. In order to maintain normal blood
sugar levels, the forces which elevate blood
sugar (hormones, glycogen) operate until a
certain point is reached at which time they
shut off and the forces that lower blood
sugar (insulin) take over.
Here is the same concept in graph form.
This
graph shows the fluctuation within
normal limits. Although ‘B’ is the
theoretical balance point for blood
sugar, there is no such thing as a
steady state of the body. The body is
dynamic – ever changing and responding
to its environment, stressors,
nutrition, etc. It is our ability to
maintain balance within the normal
limits that determines health. When we
cannot maintain this adaptive capacity
and dynamic balance health problems will
inevitably occur. This can be
illustrated in the following graph,
again of blood sugar fluctuation.
This
graph illustrates loss of blood sugar
control and more specifically a diabetic
tendency. It shows an inability to cycle
normally through both phases of blood
sugar balance and represents a need for
metabolic support based on this pattern.
What is also crucial to understand about
this graph is that it is not just ‘blood
sugar’ that it is describing, but a
whole pattern of imbalance, in
particular a Ketogenic pattern. As such,
this pattern and its control system
correlate to specific vitamin, mineral,
enzyme, endocrine, and dietary needs. It
is about oxidation pathways and which
one is dominant for that individual when
it comes to metabolizing foods and
nutrients. Therefore, this pattern tells
us a lot more about someone than just
‘blood sugar’. This is also reflected in
the fact that today we know Diabetes,
Syndrome X (oftentimes precursor to
diabetes), and Polycystic Ovarian
Syndrome as a few examples are much more
than just ‘high blood sugar’ issues.
There are many other factors including
hormones that are directly involved in
these conditions which oftentimes
standard blood tests do not evaluate.
But, when addressed by looking at the
combination of patterns (as there is
almost always more than one pattern in
chronic health problems) a thorough
understanding of the metabolic and
nutritional needs of the individual
dealing with a condition such as
diabetes can be met. Ultimately what
this means is that adaptive capacity can
be restored and a normal cycle as shown
in the first graph is achieved which
equates to metabolic health.
What causes an imbalance in the 5
Fundamental Balance Systems?
The most basic cause is stress. But
stress manifests itself in many
different ways – environmental,
emotional, nutritional / dietary,
chemical, physical, immunological,
electromagnetic, etc. These causes are
evaluated during the in-depth review of
the Client Health History and in the
Autonomic Response Testing part of the
evaluation and are integrated into the
overall health plan of the individual.
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What Do the Tests Show? – The 10 Patterns of
Metabolic Imbalance |
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The Nutri-Spec system
establishes that for every normal condition
two opposite abnormalities are possible. To
use our example of blood sugar levels again,
there may be either high blood sugar or low
blood sugar. Other examples are high or low
body temp, high or low blood pressure, or
excess acidity or alkalinity. What this
means is that for each of the 5 fundamental
balance systems, two patterns of dysfunction
are possible.
They are as follows:
Each individual has their own
patterns of imbalance. Even if two people
have the same diagnosis, it is very likely
they will have different metabolic patterns
and therefore different dietary and
supplemental requirements. For example, 2
people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome could
have the following sets of imbalances:
Client #1: Anaerobic and Glucogenic
Client #2: Electrolyte Insufficiency, Dysaerobic,
and Parasympathetic
If their diets and nutritional programs were
based on diagnosis or typical symptoms, then
at least one of these people would most
likely not improve on the ‘standard
program’. Also to note is that causative
factors (Never Well Since) for each person
are most likely different and will also be
determined and addressed accordingly with
Autonomic Response Testing and Homeopathy.
Here again is the point of understanding
you, not the name of your condition.
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Advantages Nutri-Spec System |
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Not all metabolic and
biochemical testing is the same. It is
possible to test very specific metabolites
and their respective pathways with other
test panels. While these types of tests can
be valuable, they are quite expensive not
only for initial testing, but for follow up
as well, making them out of reach for many
people. The Nutri-Spec system is very cost
effective and provides comprehensive
information right at the office. No time is
wasted waiting for the lab to send results
to begin implementing a plan of action. Also
because of its low cost and in office
performance, assessing progress and making
changes to the protocols can be done quickly
and easily. A further advantage is the
non-invasive and simple nature of the
testing. It is therefore appropriate for
young and old alike.
NOTE: The supplements recommended are those
listed in the Quality Supplementation
section. We do not use the products from
Nutri-Spec with the exception of the liquid
formulations based on Dr. Emmanuel Revici’s
work when indicated.
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Specialized
Testing Options |
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There are
instances where outside laboratories are
used to assess a client’s health issues. The
decision to use any of these other testing
options is determined on a case by case
basis. As always, it is the needs of the
individual that determines the course of
action and tests requested.
NOTE: Use
of any of these laboratories and tests are
above and beyond the standard in office
testing procedures and have a separate
charge based on what further testing is
needed. All costs and procedures will be
discussed with the client in full prior to
ordering further tests.
Diagnos-Techs, Inc.:
www.diagnos-techs.com
This laboratory is the leader in
saliva hormone testing. These endocrine /
hormonal panels are crucial to evaluating
conditions such as Adrenal Dysfunction,
Menopause, Infertility, Menstrual
Disorders, Endometriosis, and Polycystic
Ovarian Syndrome to name just a few.
Available test panels include:
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Adrenal Stress Index
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Female Hormone
Panels
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Post Menopause
Hormone Panels
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Male Hormone Panel
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Gastrointestinal
Health Panels
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ZRT
Laboratories:
www.zrtlabs.com
This is a leading laboratory in blood
spot hormone testing. This method of
testing requires only a nearly painless
finger prick and putting several drops of
blood on a piece of filter paper. Several
tests can be run from a single sample.
Blood spot testing is on par with saliva
testing in that the method determines the
active (free, bioavailable) hormone
delivered to the tissues. This is in
contrast to serum or standard blood tests
which only test the bound to protein
fraction in the bloodstream. This is
important because hormones act on the
tissue level and are not accurately
reflected in the serum. One further
advantage of blood spot testing is
especially relevant to Thyroid hormone
assessment and monitoring: blood spot is
more accurate than serum and analysis and
more precise than saliva testing, thereby
insuring the most accurate thyroid
evaluation available.
Available test panels include:
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Thyroid Hormone
Profile
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MetaMetrix:
www.metametrix.com
This is a leading laboratory in highly
specialized metabolic, toxicant, and
nutritional testing. They offer urine,
saliva, serum, and blood spot testing.
These tests are valuable in select cases
where more in-depth biochemical
information is needed to evaluate a
client’s needs.
Available test panels include:
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Fat Soluble Vitamins
Profile (Serum)
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Organix Dysbiosis
Profile (Urine)
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Porphyrins Profile
(Urine)
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Toxic Elements (24
Urine)
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Direct
Labs:
www.directlabs.com
This lab provides standard blood tests
directly to consumers and health care
practitioners at a savings of up to 80%
off retail prices. This allows individuals
and their health care providers to
independently run blood tests without a
prescription from a medical doctor. As a
health care provider, Holistic Solutions,
LLC receives special discounts on the
already competitive prices listed online.
We then pass those savings on to you, the
client.
The most utilized tests include:
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Vitamin D3 (25-OH)
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Complete Blood Count with
Differential (CBC w/ Diff)
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Comprehensive Wellness Panel
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Hemoglobin A1C
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Homocysteine
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Analytical Research Labs:
www.arltma.com
This is a leading laboratory in the
performance and evaluation of Hair Tissue
Mineral Analysis (HTMA). This is one of
only a select few labs that do not wash
the hair samples prior to testing,
therefore providing a more accurate
analysis of minerals and toxic metals.
HTMA is a valuable test for confirming
toxic metals, assessing mineral ratios and
mineral bioavailability in the tissues.
The key to understanding minerals is that
they do not work in isolation from one
another, but in an interconnected way,
where one mineral in excess or deficiency
affects the levels of other minerals as
well. This is why the ratios of minerals
in the tissues are so important and are
assessed in a HTMA. This is a valuable
test for a wide range of conditions and is
run on a case by case basis.
About ARL – HTMA
What Can Hair
Analysis Reveal?
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Healthexcel:
www.healthexcel.com
This is the original metabolic typing
diet program that has 25 years of research
and use supporting it. Kimberly Geck is a
Certified Metabolic Typing Advisor with
Healthexcel, thereby providing clients
with the most advanced and complete
metabolic type diet plans available today.
Advanced Metabolic Typing Test for Diet
Plans:
This is a computerized 150-question
assessment of physical, psychological, and
dietary traits to determine your current
functional metabolic diet plan. The test
includes a full 30 page Report of Results,
a 45 minute consultation, Diet Plan and
Meal Planning, and other educational
materials and support regarding Food
Selection, Food Preparation, Shopping
Guidelines, and more! This assessment is
ideal for anyone having difficulty losing
weight, those not sure which is the right
diet and foods for them, those who have
trouble with sticking to dietary
recommendations, and for anyone who wants
to maximize healthy food choices for their
particular metabolism.
Do You Know the
Right Diet for Your Metabolism?
Overview of
Metabolic Typing Philosophy
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