According to Raymond Francis and his book “Never be Sick Again”, there are two main pathways to illness: Deficiency and Toxicity.

In a few words, and he is right, if our body doesn’t get all the necessary nutrients to function well (minerals, vitamins, amino acids etc.), we will suffer from deficiency. If we smoke, drink too much alcohol, take drugs, medications, low quality food (colourings, additives, fast food), pollution and contaminated foods and drinks (search and read about “EDTA” and water contamination) our cells “go mad” and illness is the result.

Our body needs essential nutrients – which are nutrients that the body cannot synthesize on its own — or not to an adequate amount — and must be provided by the diet. These nutrients are necessary for the body to function properly. The six essential nutrients include carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water.

Minerals is one of the four groups of essential nutrients, the others are vitamins, essential fatty acids, and essential amino acids.

Essential minerals (calcium, chloride, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc) are sometimes divided up into ‘major minerals’ and ‘trace minerals’. A balanced diet usually provides all of the essential minerals – but this is somewhat rare these days.

The optimal way to get the vitamins you need is by consuming a varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables and other plant foods, including seeds, nuts and whole grains. The problem is that most food is mass produced these days and they provide little nutrition and nutrients.

Most of the compounds needed for our body cells to function for our health, can be made by our cells from other nutrients. We evolved without the ability to make the small number that we call vitamins. Vitamins are compounds which are necessary for our normal growth and function, which we cannot make within our bodies; hence we must obtain them from our food. Our bodies can’t produce all of the nutrients that we need to function properly, so we have to “add” vitamins. We only need tiny amounts of vitamins, as they are still present in many foods, but it is possible to become deficient in vitamins, and that damages health. The 14 essential vitamins for bodily function are: A, C, D, E, K, and B vitamins (riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, folate, B12, B6, niacin, pantothenic acid and biotin).

Fortified or enriched food is regulated by Regulation 1925/2006/EC. The regulation sets out harmonized EU rules for adding vitamins and minerals to food. However, adding vitamins or minerals to food may have little or no positive impact; stay away from them as they are often unreliable.

Twenty percent of our body is made up of protein. Protein plays a crucial role in almost all biological processes and amino acids are the building blocks of it. A large proportion of our cells, muscles and tissue is made up of amino acids, meaning they carry out many important bodily functions, such as giving cells their structure. They also play a key role in the transport and the storage of nutrients. Amino acids have an influence on the function of organs, glands, tendons and arteries. They are furthermore essential for healing wounds and repairing tissue, especially in the muscles, bones, skin and hair as well as for the removal of all kinds of waste deposits produced in connection with the metabolism.

Despite the fact that hundreds of different blood tests are available on the NHS (http://labtestsonline.org.uk/map/aindex) – your GP is very often reluctant to “move away” from the most common “Full blood count” (FBC). This is a common blood test to check a person’s general health or to screen for conditions such as anaemia.

Because there is little or no communication between doctor and patient, the GP mainly requests what he/she considers important, often simply to calm down the patient’s expectations.

Every body is different and we are not machines. There are (to date) four different blood types in humans (A, B, AB and O) and, according to Dr. Peter J D’Adamo, our food intake should also take into consideration our blood type. Only 30 proteins have previously been identified as responsible for a basic blood type, but the count now reaches 32. Both of the newly identified proteins are also associated with anticancer drug resistance, so the findings may also have implications for improved treatment of breast and other cancers.

Those that are vegetarians or vegan should consider amino acids supplements.

Away from the “standard” blood tests and a few urine tests that will be used to screen for and/or help diagnose conditions such as a urinary tract infections, kidney disorders, liver problems, diabetes or other metabolic conditions, I am enclosing a list of other very useful tests. Let me tell you now, don’t even bother mentioning them to your GP or specialist, they don’t even know what they are.

A C-reactive protein (CRP) test is a blood test that measures the amount of a protein called C-reactive protein in your blood. C-reactive protein measures general levels of inflammation in your body. C-reactive protein — or CRP — appears to be correlated to heart disease risk.

ORGANIC ACIDS TEST (OAT) + AMINO ACIDS URINE TEST
The Organic Acids Test offers an accurate evaluation of intestinal yeast and bacteria. Abnormal toxic levels of these microorganisms can cause or worsen behaviour disorders, hyperactivity, movement disorders, affect energy levels and immune function.
40 Amino Acids TEST in the Urine Tests for:
• AD(H)D
• Autism Spectrum
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chemical Exposure
• Chronic Fatigue
• Depression
• Down Syndrome
• Eating Disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Schizophrenia
• Seizure Disorders
• Tourette Syndrome & Tics
• Essential/Conditionally indispensible amino acids
• Nonessential amino acids
• Gastrointestinal markers
• Magnesium-dependent markers
• B6, B12 & Folate-dependent markers
• Detoxification Markers
• Neurological markers

[There are 20 (22) well-known amino acids; however, in total, they are counted as being over 200 in numbers, but the 22 proteinogenic amino acids are the ones that are commonly known].

Adrenocortex Stress Profile is a powerful and precise non-invasive salivary hormone test that evaluates bioactive levels of the body’s important stress hormones, cortisol and DHEA. This hormone test (stress test) serves as a critical tool for uncovering biochemical imbalances underlying anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, obesity, dysglycemia, and a host of other clinical conditions. This hormone test examines 4 saliva samples over a 24-hour period for levels of cortisol and DHEA.

The adrenal hormones cortisol and DHEA function to influence:
• Metabolism
• Anti-inflammatory response
• Thyroid function
• Resistance to stress

Diseases and conditions associated with adrenocortex stress:
• Anxiety
• Back pain
• Cardiovascular disease
• Celiac disease
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Depression
• Hypoglycemia
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Migraine headaches
• Obesity
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Ulcers
• Weak immune system

Changing the amounts of cortisol and DHEA can profoundly affect:
• Energy levels
• Emotional states
• Resistance to disease
• General sense of well-being

The Comprehensive Melatonin Profile is a convenient, non-invasive salivary hormone test that analyzes the circadian secretion patterns of melatonin. Using a complete light-dark cycle, this hormone test reveals abnormal levels of melatonin that relates to various physical and psychological symptoms as well as premature acceleration of the body´s aging process.

• Sleep disorders
• Depression
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Chronic progressive multiple sclerosis
• Menstrual irregularities
• Orchestrate the complex interactions between the mind, body, and environment
• Influence most of the autonomic, hormonal, and behavioural functions of the human organism
• Advance sleep time and duration
• Modulate annual and circadian biorhythms (thereby reducing symptoms of jet-lag)
• Regulate the body temperature
• Regulate cardiovascular function
• Regulate immune function, with a possible role in fighting cancer
• Act as an antioxidant
• Regulate female reproductive hormones

The Metabolic Analysis Profile is a nutritional test that assesses urine metabolites in order to evaluate four critical areas of metabolism: gastrointestinal function, cellular and mitochondrial energy production, neurotransmitter processing, and amino acid/organic acid balance as influenced by vitamin/mineral cofactors. Results can be used to address chronic systemic complaints ranging from chronic fatigue and mood disorders to headache, muscular/joint pain, and digestive problems. The Metabolic Analysis Profile is a nutritional test using an urinary assessment of 46 key organic acids grouped according to their primary roles in the following four central areas of metabolism.

Gastrointestinal Function — This profile measures eight markers that can reveal malabsorption and dysbiosis. These imbalances can be addressed to improve gut health and to help prevent or alleviate: chronic digestive problems, common causes of nutritional deficiency, yeast overgrowth, cognitive impairment, gastrointestinal distress, and degenerative conditions.

Energy Production —This profile assesses metabolites that serve as important intermediates in the citric acid (Krebs) cycle. This cycle supplies the body with its primary energy needs, converting 90% of food energy into cellular energy. This subpanel also includes:
• Carbohydrate metabolites that can signal impaired glucose metabolism
• Markers that help evaluate the breakdown of fats and production of cholesterol
• A marker measuring the production of coenzyme Q10
• Imbalances of cellular energy metabolites are linked with chronic fatigue, accelerated cell breakdown, and unhealthy aging.

The Cellular Energy Profile measures a special grouping of organic acids. These metabolites primarily reflect carbohydrate metabolism, mitochondrial function, and oxidation of fatty acids that occurs during cellular respiration. The organic acids measured in this panel are central components or intermediates in metabolic pathways of energy conversion related to the Krebs (citric acid) cycle and the production of ATP-the cell’s main fuel source. Defects of mitochondrial metabolism are associated with a wide spectrum of illness and disease. This test can reveal metabolic distress that can arise from toxic exposure, nutrient deficiency, intestinal dysbiosis, dysglycemia, oxidative stress, poor diet, and other causes. The profile is particularly relevant for the chronically “unwell” patient, who may be experiencing multiple chemical sensitivities, fibromyalgia, fatigue, malaise, hypotonia (loss of muscle tone), acid-base imbalance, low exercise tolerance, muscle/joint pain, or headache.

Why the above tests are ignored by physicians is a mystery to me. Often, by changing our diet or by adding supplements, we can solve many health (hypertension, high cholesterol) and mental problems (depression, schizophrenia). Why are medicines/drugs the first and only resort in many cases?

Article by A.B.M. Procaccini – Psychologist, Naturopathist

BMJ research, read: http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/early/2015/08/06/bmjqs-2014-003690.full