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Research
There are many studies that
demonstrate the benefits of good nutrition for various segments of the
population. By applying individuality instead of generalities to any research study we
start to see human science differently. Each research study
usually r epresents a cross section of the population. Within that
cross section are subgroups of individuals. Each subgroup is
comprised of individuals who have similar
reactions to certain nutrients, or whatever is being tested. Some
subgroups react positive, others negative and others have no response.
Scientific Individuality research looks at studies to determine to which subgroup
you are a member. Are you in the subgroup that was affected
positively by the tested nutrient, or are you in a subgroup that had
a negative reaction, did you have side affects? With each test
result a clearer picture emerges, as the data on you starts to
shape the understanding of your unique biochemical profile. Your
biochemistry becomes defined through a series of subgroups that
you fall within - you are eventually able to determine a list of the substances
tested that are supportive or
negative in their benefit to your health and well being. We choose
food according to taste already - now we can choose it according
to our individual health needs.
We at Individual Health Solutions,
llc have developed a series of tests to help you define what
nutrients you need and which ones you need to avoid. Eventually we will provide you with a
gene test which will look at multi gene expression to determine your unique
bio-chemical needs.
Over-Methylation
Many persons who suffer from
anxiety and depression are over-methylated which results in
excessive levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin.
Typical symptoms include chemical and food sensitivities,
underachievement, upper body pain, and an adverse reaction to enhancing-enhancing substances such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft,
St. John’s Wort, and SAMe. They have a genetic tendency to be
very depressed in folates, niacin, and Vitamin B-12, and
biochemical treatment focuses on supplementation of these
nutrients. These persons are also overloaded in copper and
methionine and supplements of these nutrients must be strictly
avoided.
Under-Methylation
Many patients with
obsessive-compulsive tendencies, oppositional-defiant disorder,
or seasonal depression are under-methylated which is associated
with low serotonin levels. They generally exhibit seasonal
allergies, perfectionism, competitiveness, and other distinctive
symptoms and traits. They have a genetic tendency to be very
depressed in calcium, magnesium, methionine, and Vitamin B-6
with excessive levels of folic acid. These under-methylated
persons may benefit nicely from Paxil, Zoloft, and other enhancing-enhancing medications, although nasty side effects are
common. A more natural approach is to directly correct the
underlying problem using methionine, calcium, magnesium, and
B-6. SAMe, St. John’s Wort, Kava Kava, and inositol are also
very useful in treating these individuals.
Metal-Metabolism
A common problem in ADHD,
behavior disorders, and hormonal depression is a genetic
inability to control copper, zinc, manganese, and other trace
metals in the body due to improper functioning of the
metallothionine protein. These patients are often deficient in
zinc, manganese, cysteine, serine, and vitamin B-6 and
overloaded in copper, lead, and cadmium. They must avoid
supplements and "enriched" foods containing copper. In
addition we recommend they drink bottled water and limit use of
swimming pools and jacuzzis treated with copper sulfate
anti-algae agents. Foods to be limited due to high copper
content include shellfish, chocolate, and carob. Elevated copper
levels are associated with hormonal imbalances and a classic
symptom is intolerance to estrogen. Biochemical treatment
focuses on stimulation of metallothionein using zinc, manganese,
cysteine, serine, and Vitamin B-6.
Pyrrole Disorder
A common feature of many
behavior and emotional disorders is pyroluria, an inborn error
of pyrrole chemistry which results in a dramatic deficiency of
zinc, Vitamin B-6, and arachidonic acid. Common symptoms include
explosive temper, emotional mood swings, poor short-term memory,
and frequent infections. These patients are easily identified by
their inability to tan, poor dream recall, abnormal fat
distribution, and sensitivity to light and sound. The decisive
laboratory test is analysis for kryptopyrroles in urine.
Treatment centers on zinc and B-6 supplements together with
omega-6 essential fatty acids.
Glucose Dyscontrol
Our database indicates a
significant number of our patients have chronic low blood
glucose levels. This problem doesn’t appear to be the cause
of behavior disorders, depression, etc., but instead is an
aggravating factor which can trigger striking symptoms. Typical
symptoms include drowsiness after meals, irritability, craving
for sweets, trembling, anxiety, and intermittent poor
concentration and focus. Treatment includes chromium, manganese,
and other glucose-stabilizing nutrients, but the primary focus
of treatment is on diet. These patients benefit from six or more
small meals daily with emphasis on complex carbohydrates and
protein. In essence, they cannot tolerate large meals or quick
sugars. Complex carbohydrates provide the necessary glucose in a
slow, gradual manner and may be thought of as
"time-release" sugar.
Toxic Substances
Occasionally we encounter a
patient whose condition has resulted from a heavy-metal overload
(lead, cadmium, mercury, etc.) or toxic levels of pesticides or
other organic chemicals. Our database indicates that persons
with a metallothionein disorder are especially sensitive to
toxic metals, and that over-methylation is associated with
severe chemical sensitivities. Effective treatment requires a
three-part approach: (1) avoidance of additional exposures, (2)
biochemical treatment to hasten the exit of the toxic from the
body, and (3) correction of underlying chemical imbalances to
minimize future vulnerability to the toxic.
Malabsorption
Although only 10% of our
database case histories involve serious malabsorption, more than
90% of autistics exhibit this problem. There are three primary
classes of absorption problems: (1) stomach problems, including
excessive or insufficient HCl levels, (2) incomplete digestion
in the small intestine, and (3) problems at the brush-border of
the intestine where most nutrients are absorbed into the portal
blood stream. The consequences can include nutrient
deficiencies, irritation of the intestinal tract, candida, and
mental health problems. Incomplete breakdown of protein and fats
can adversely affect brain neurotransmission, and is associated
with impulsivity and academic underachievement. Treatment
depends on the type of malabsorption present and may involve
adjustment of stomach HCl levels, digestive enzymes which
survive stomach acid, nutrients to enhance digestion, and
special diets.
Essential Fatty Acids
The brain is 20% fat (by dry
weight) and these fatty substances fulfill very important
functions. The myelin sheaths which surround our brain cells
contain essential fatty acids which are directly involved in
receptor formation and nerve transmission. A 1998 Symposium at
the National Institute of Mental Health presented strong
evidence of the important roles for omega-3 oils (especially EPA
and DHA) and omega-6 oils (especially AA and DGLA) in ADHD,
depression, and schizophrenia. A recent Harvard study showed EPA
and DHA supplements to be more effective than psychiatric
medications in combating bipolar depression. Typical American
diets usually result in insufficient omega-3 and excessive
omega-6, and some nutritionists routinely recommend supplements
of omega-3 oils. However, biochemical individuality also exists
with oils and certain persons are innately low in omega-6 oils.
A review of symptoms and specialized plasma and
red-cell-membrane lab tests can identify individual needs. What do we test
for at Individual Health Solutions, llc?
Our tests are based on a data base of over 20,000 subjects
who took a similar test to the test available for you on this
site, plus they also had over 100 individual blood,
urine and tissue analysis performed. We are looking for expressions
in your mental, emotional and physical being which are connected
to inherent biochemical imbalances within certain specific biochemical
reactions. Each of us is born with some inherent "flaw"
that affects a biochemical reaction in our body and causing the
efficient and effectiveness of that reaction to diminish - this
can create a domino effect on other processes in our body and create
a whole host of symptoms. Specifically we test for:
1. Ability to absorb nutrients - you can eat the best diet and take
the best supplements but if they are not absorbed properly they
are useless. Specific enzymes and nutrients are necessary for good
digestion and absorption of essential nutrients.
2. Histamine levels - when histamine levels are either too high or too low they
affect the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin in your brain - these
neurotransmitters affect your moods, memory, thought patterns, learning
ability, and a host of other functions.
3. Glucose control - the use of glucose and the regulation of incoming
starches, carbohydrates and sugars affects our body's energy and
our mental acuity and moods. This complex process of balancing body
sugar (glucose levels) with insulin can lead to more serious conditions
and low energy and mood swings, irritability and temper outbursts
when out of balance.
4. Oxidative stress and heavy metal metabolism - Usually high copper
and low zinc can affect taste sensation and impede the production
of essential bio-chemical reactions in the body. With
today's stressful lifestyle and toxic environment, this is a critical
function for a healthy system.
What we do not test
We do not test for blood typing. According to our
research the diverse, the rich heritage
from several cultures of most Americans makes predictions from genes too complex
to fall within blood type generality. We observed no correlation
between blood type and foods. If you live
in Europe, Asia or another part of the world where you have a family tree that has lived in the same area
for thousands of years the blood typing program might pertain to
you.
We do not test for the food you eat - even though
what you eat affects your health there is no test today that can
predict the affects of a particular food on your system. Generalized
myths abound regarding amounts of cholesterol, fats, proteins, sugars
and carbohydrates that are not necessarily true for everyone.
Individuality truly makes one
person's dessert another's poison! For some individuals a heavy
animal protein laden diet is the best food for their system. For
others a rich vegetarian diet works wonders. Still others should not
eat green leafy vegetables. An individual needs to test their
biochemistry before determining their nutritional needs.
We do not test for generalities and apply them to you. We test you
to see what science applies to you. Many nutritional myths abound
that apply to only certain biochemical groups of individuals. Vegan
diets are good for a percentage of individuals - so are meat based
protein diets as well as carbohydrate dominant diets. Just as our
fingerprints and irises are unique, so are our individual nutritional
needs. Be aware that customized, personalized, or designer nutrients
do not necessarily mean they are individualized for your needs. We
have to test you first to determine your biochemistry and the cause
behind the cause associated to any anomalies or biochemical imbalances that may
be inherent to your biochemical metabolic systems.
By evaluating your tests we can determine what functions
are in balance and those that need specific nutrients removed or
added to your daily multi vitamin, mineral, and amino acid formula.
Based on your results you will also become aware of the foods that
support your particular chemistry and what foods to avoid. Finally
you will also know the ratio of Protein to Carbohydrates - an important
ratio when you choose a diet for yourself.
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