Collection Method
US BioTek utilizes dried urine cards taken at a first-morning void to make collection simple and convenient for patients.
The Organic Acids Profile provides a metabolic snapshot, guiding treatment decisions for both you and your patients. With carefully selected markers, it creates a personalized biochemistry profile, revealing nutrient absorption efficiency and any imbalances in vitamins, minerals, and cofactors essential for optimal health.
US BioTek utilizes dried urine cards taken at a first-morning void to make collection simple and convenient for patients.
The Organic Acids Panel utilizes a streamlined list of makers to provide a solid functional overview of general health and mitochondrial function.
Each marker on the testing is carefully selected for it's relevance based on 3rd party peer-reviewed research.
36 Organic Acids are analyzed to indicate key markers of metabolic health:
Glycolysis, the gateway for converting dietary carbohydrates into energy, revolves around pyruvate, a key molecule fueling subsequent pathways like the Citric Acid Cycle (CAC). The dynamic interplay between pyruvate and lactate offers insights into cellular health. Variations in their levels signal potential disruptions, guiding us in optimizing nutrition and lifestyle for vibrant well-being.
The markers for Glycolysis include:The Citric Acid Cycle (CAC) serves as the initial phase in the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cellular energy currency vital for sustaining life. This cycle facilitates the transfer of high-energy electrons from carbon molecules found in dietary fats, carbohydrates, and proteins to cofactor molecules like nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+ or NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FADH₂). Dysregulation of the Electron Transport Chain (ETC) can stem from various factors, necessitating targeted nutritional interventions, with discernible patterns observable in the Organic Acids Profile (OAP) results.
Mitochondrial electron transport chain dysfunction may manifest in various patterns, necessitating targeted nutritional interventions. Shuttle mechanisms, such as the malate-aspartate shuttle, facilitate electron transfer to the ETC, influencing ATP production. Dysfunctions in these shuttles can result in metabolic imbalances, highlighting the intricate interplay within cellular metabolism.
Markers for the Citric Acid Cycle Include:Fatty acid oxidation pathways critical for energy production and metabolic regulation. Dietary fatty acids undergo alpha, beta, and omega oxidation, each playing distinct roles in cellular function. Alpha oxidation in peroxisomes breaks down specific fatty acids like phytanic acid, while beta oxidation in the liver generates acetyl-CoA for the citric acid cycle and ATP production. Defects in these pathways affect energy production and ketone body synthesis, crucial for brain and heart function.
Omega oxidation, typically minor, becomes significant in conditions like carnitine deficiency. Elevated dicarboxylic acids levels indicate fatty acid oxidation defects.
Markers for Fatty Acid Oxidation Include:Ketone bodies, including beta-hydroxybutyrate, are crucial for cellular energy, particularly in the brain and heart. Produced in the liver's mitochondria, ketone bodies become significant energy sources when carbohydrate stores are depleted. Beta-hydroxybutyrate serves as a free-radical scavenger and promotes antioxidant mechanisms. Elevated levels of alpha-hydroxybutyrate are linked to diabetes and insulin-glucose dysregulation. Conversely, low levels may indicate enzyme inhibitions or nutritional deficiencies. Understanding these biomarkers aids in assessing metabolic health and guiding nutritional interventions.
Ketone Markers Include:
Also known as Markers for Cofactor Needs.
Dietary proteins and amino acids are essential for cellular function and energy production. Proteins are broken down into dipeptides and tripeptides during digestion, then absorbed in the small intestine, contributing to protein synthesis. During fasting, cells utilize their own proteins to produce glucose, fueling the Citric Acid Cycle (CAC). Additionally, various amino acids serve as precursors for metabolic pathways like glycolysis and ketogenesis.
Genetic variations, medications, or liver disorders can impact amino acid metabolism, affecting ammonia detoxification and leading to symptoms like brain fog and confusion. Monitoring these pathways provides insights for personalized interventions to optimize metabolic health.
Markers for Protein Metabolism include:
Neurotransmitters are vital for transmitting chemical signals between nerve cells, and the Organic Acids Panel screens for issues in neurotransmission which can lead to various behavioral, psychiatric, or neurodegenerative disorders. The synthesis and breakdown of neurotransmitters depend on enzymes that require nutrient cofactors, with amino acids like tryptophan and phenylalanine being essential and obtained from the diet. The Organic Acids Panel assesses neurotransmitters processed by the liver and kidney, linking their function to neurotransmitter metabolite levels.
Understanding neurotransmitter levels is crucial for interpreting symptoms. For instance, low levels of dopamine can manifest in movement disorders or depression, while high levels may lead to obsessive-compulsive behaviors or schizophrenia. Additionally, the Organic Acids Panel measures quinolinate, associated with neuroinflammation, and considers the interplay between kynurenate and quinolinate levels for neuroprotective purposes. Conditions like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease affecting nutrient absorption are also considered, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive assessment and tailored support for patients.
Markers for Neurotransmitter Metabolism include:Understanding detoxification markers is crucial for assessing liver health and overall well-being. The liver's role in metabolizing toxins from both internal and external sources is vital for maintaining health. By examining biomarkers linked to detoxification pathways, we gain insights into how efficiently the liver processes toxins.
Identifying deficiencies or impairments in detoxification pathways allows for targeted interventions to support liver function. Nutritional deficiencies or genetic variations affecting enzyme activity can hinder detoxification processes. Addressing these issues and providing specific nutritional support optimizes liver function and promotes overall health. Thus, comprehending detoxification markers is essential for guiding personalized health strategies and optimizing well-being.
Markers For Detoxification Include:The assessment of Markers for Bacterial Metabolism provides invaluable insights into the intricate balance of the gut microbiome and its impact on overall health. These markers offer a window into the activity of the gastrointestinal microbiota, revealing how factors like diet, stress, and antibiotic use influence bacterial metabolism. Dysbiosis, whether characterized by insufficiency or overgrowth, can significantly alter these markers, indicating disruptions in gut health.
Markers For Bacterial Metabolism Include:
A comprehensive interpretation guide to assist in understanding your results easily. Tailored nutrition and lifestyle recommendations are provided for conditions like aging-related metabolic issues, chronic inflammation, environment-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, and low-activity enzyme variants.
Liquid Chromatography/ Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) instrumentation is used to quantitatively evaluate patient urine specimens for metabolically-derived organic acids and evidence of exposure to environmental pollutants.
Our Urinary Metabolic Profile is run on this comprehensive testing platform, which offers superb separation, resolution, and identification of compounds from a complex biological mixture such as urine, yielding precise and repeatable results.
MORE INFORMATION ON LC-MS/MS >>
The Organic Acids Profile requires a dried urine sample, easily collected via our simple urine collection card.
DRIED URINE COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS>>
Providers can view and download results through our secure Clinician Portal, or request results by email.
Please note that US BioTek does not discuss test results directly with patients. Practitioners assume the responsibility of relaying test results to their patients. All results are confidential.
Test kits are available to registered providers upon request. Use our online submission form to order the collection kits you require.
Easy collection and low volume specimen requirements are advantages of the US BioTek testing methodology. Follow our simple instructions.
Upon completion of specimen collection, complete our test requisition form and include it in your specimen shipment.
Providers can view and download results through our secure Clinician Portal, or request results by email.
Please note that US BioTek does not discuss test results directly with patients. Practitioners assume the responsibility of relaying test results to their patients. All results are confidential.