Organic Acid Testing (OAT) is an at-home urine test that measures the breakdown products (known as metabolites) of various hormones, neurotransmitters and microbes in your body. By far the best part about the OAT is that you receive a large amount of information regarding the health of many of your body systems, through one simple urine collection.
The test is beneficial for almost every health condition or concern, including low energy, digestive symptoms, low mood, cognitive imbalances, autoimmunity and chronic pain. Here’s a quick overview of what OAT can offer:
- Digestive Health: Levels of good and bad bacteria are measured, as well as levels of yeast and fungus. Collectively, this information gives a picture of the microbial diversity in your intestinal tract and ultimately tells us whether there are bad bugs that need to be eliminated, a common problem in digestive concerns (like gas, bloating, IBS) but also skin issues, energy and mood disorders.
- Mitochondrial Health: Our mitochondria are responsible for making energy inside our cells. These markers let us know if there is a blockade in the energy producing systems. Low mitochondrial function can lead to fatigue, muscle pains, cognitive concerns and more.
- Neurotransmitters: Known as our “mood chemicals”, neurotransmitters can help to explain why we are feeling depressed or anxious if levels are found to be too high or low.
- Nutrients: OAT measures the excretion of nutrients such as B-vitamins, CoQ10, vitamin C and glutathione, all of which play complex roles in our overall health.
- Detoxification: Markers of liver health and how well our cells are detoxifying are extremely important for hormonal health, energy and other chronic concerns. If your body is not detoxifying properly, how can you expect to ever feel better?
For more information on OAT, visit https://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/organic-acids-test/ or https://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/s/New-Oat-Sample-Report-April-2018.pdf for a sample report.
If you are interested in obtaining an OAT test kit or for more information on cost, contact your Sprout Wellness practitioner or admin at info@sproutwellness.ca
Yours in Health,
Dr. Colin, ND
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