METABOLOMIC PROFILE OF ORGANIC ACIDS
What are organic acids?
Organic acids are chemical compounds excreted in urine also known as metabolites and are the result of our metabolism. They are commonly tested in urine because their concentration is up to one hundred times more than that in blood and therefore are more easily detected. They are measured combining gas chromatography and liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadruple mass spectrometry.
Why is the metabolomic profile of organic acids important?
The organic acid metabolomic profile test evaluates many conditions related to clinical disorders and can be valuable to anyone with a complicated and chronic health problem. The organic acid test is an essential profile for anyone seeking information relating to intestinal bacterial and fungal toxins, vitamin or antioxidant deficiencies, detox systems efficiency, neurotransmitter functionality and much else...
On which sample is the test of organic acids performed
The test is performed on a urine sample and evaluates 66 urinary metabolites.
What indications does the metabolomic profile test of organic acids provide?
Metabolic Disorders: The Organic Acid Metabolomic Profile provides important information about metabolic disorders, including mitochondrial dysfunction and potential exposure to toxins that can negatively impact health.
Genetic disorders: Some elevated amino acid metabolites may be linked to rare genetic disorders called inborn errors of metabolism, caused by inefficient enzyme that reacts at a slower than usual rate, resulting in metabolic intermediate buildup
Intolerances and allergies: high values of organic acids also occur in cases of an excessive growth of opportunistic and pathogenic digestive bacteria, as well as yeasts and other fungi.
Neurological dysfunctions: Certain compounds produced by microorganisms can alter the neurochemical activity affecting the brain and nervous system leading to behavioral, cognitive and various physical health problems.
Chronic Diseases: The organic acid metabolomic profile also includes markers for vitamin and mineral levels, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter levels, detoxification , and oxalates.
Benefits of treatments based on the evaluation of the metabolic profile of organic acids
Treatments based on organic acid profile assessments can lead to improved energy, sleep, mental health conditions, but also leads to reduced attention and concentration problems, chronic pain, and digestive problems.
10 reasons why it is worth performing the metabolomic profile test of organic acids at the valsambro laboratory
Reason 1. The Organic Acid Profile evaluates various fungal toxins, including specific markers for candida and aspergillus, as well as other fungi and yeasts. The elevated metabolites arabinose and arabitol are linked to processes of inflammation of the mucose by candida. While the presence of other metabolites such as tartaric acid, and furan carbonylglycine are indicators of overgrowth of the aspergillus fungus. Mycotoxins produced by fungi interfere with cellular energy production systems or cause neuroinflammation and can contribute or be the main cause of central and peripheral nervous system imbalances. (impaired sleep, memory loss, poor concentration, migraine).
Reason 2. The metabolomic profile evaluates specific toxins related to various bacteria of the clostridial family. Clostridial bacteria can lead to intestinal problems. Some strains of Clostridium produce factors that cause inflammation, diarrhea, or constipation. The main toxins evaluated in the test related to different clostridial strains are HPHPA and 4-cresol. HPHPA and 4-cresol can inhibit dopamine beta-hydroxylase, leading to an excessive dopamine production and reduced levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. High dopamine can form toxic compounds that negatively affect brain cells and can, in the long term, trigger free radical damage. Neurotransmitter elevation can cause mood instability, cognitive problems and in severe cases, induce aggressive behavior. Evaluation of clostridial organic acid toxins is essential for anyone struggling with a developmental disorder, mental health issues, and neurological diseases.
Reason 3. Along with the symptoms and patient’s clinical history , the information provided by metabolomic profile helps to prioritize the therapeutic intervention , for example between candida (fungus) and clostridia (bacteria). Treatment of candida alone, when the clostridial bacteria toxins of HPHPA and P-cresol are present, can worsen symptoms due to an increase in neurochemicals toxins.
Reason 4. Evaluations of mitochondrial imbalances. Mitochondria are the energy factories of our cells and produce large quantities of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP serves as the energy currency for every biochemical transformation in our body. Mitochondria can be negatively affected by candida toxins, nutritional imbalances, oxalates, heavy metals, and environmental chemicals. Mitochondrial dysfunction is common in many chronic health disorders.
Reason 5. The organic acid profile evaluates the serotonin deficiency, Serotonin is the so-called "Happy Hormone" and supports the humoral balance of our central nervous system, Serotonin is a precursor of melatonin, the hormone that regulates the quality and the duration of our sleep. Serotonin deficiency can be associated with depression, panic attacks, insomnia, headaches, hypertension, anxiety. Another important potentially toxic marker evaluated is quinolinic acid. a higher levels of quinolinic acid have been found in cases of depression and behavior disorders, and can impact the quality of cognitive and learning abilities. Since tryptophan is the precursor to quinolinic acid , it is highly recommended to test the organic acid profile prior to prescribing a high- L-tryptophan supplementation dosage , often used to treat insomnia and certain mental health disorders.
Reason 6. The metabolomic profile evaluates dopamine and norepinephrine imbalances. dopamine deficiency can manifest itself through depression, sadness, sleep disturbances and, over time, cognitive disturbances such as difficulty remembering recent events. The neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) participates in a wide range of physiological functions. It is one of the main molecules of the sympathetic nervous system. Receptors are present in almost all organs of the body. The molecule plays a role in a variety of disease processes.
Reason 7. The metabolomic profile evaluates two specific chemicals related to folate metabolism. Folate is linked to the methylation cycle that supports the internal mechanisms of cells relating to DNA function and metabolism.
Reason 8. The metabolomic profile evaluates various nutritional markers such as vitamin B6, B2, B5, vitamin C, CoQ10, as well as N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Vitamins guide the chemical reactions of cells and tissues as they contribute to the regulation of enzymatic activities, ensure vital functions in the tissues, perform and optimize the protective antioxidant action against free radicals. The main function of CoQ10 is to transport electrons through the electron transport chain in the mitochondrial inner membrane. NAC is required as a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione.
Reason 9. Organic acid evaluates glutathione deficiency. It is a powerful antioxidant in our cells and protects against toxicity. Lack of glutathione leads to oxidative stress. It’s deficiency can also compromise the health of the immune system as it is a necessary compound for liver detoxification
Reason 10. Impaired fatty acid metabolism. Dietary fatty acids are metabolized into fuel sources using beta oxidation. The conversion of fatty acids to acetyl-CoA requires transport across the mitochondrial membrane via the carnitine shuttle. When beta oxidation is impaired, fatty acids are metabolized using an alternative pathway called omega oxidation. Oxidation of omegas results in elevated levels of dicarboxylic acids such as adipic acid and suberic acid. Impaired beta-oxidation occurs in carnitine deficiency or enzyme dysfunction due to lack of nutrient cofactors. Increased omega oxidation metabolites can be seen in ketosis, insulin resistance, diabetes, fasting, or low carbohydrate intake. Increased suberic acid and adipic acid can lead to further mitochondrial dysfunction ,potentially harming the cell membrane and producing free radical damage.
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