A sharp brain is key to a healthy life. Yet, how do you ensure your brain is working to its best ability? Just like any other organ in your body, your brain needs the correct nutrients to function and thrive. Furthermore, it’s affected by lifestyle and dietary choices, and it has unique requirements depending on your genetic picture.
Maybe you are experiencing cognitive issues, mood problems or worrying neurological symptoms? Or perhaps you want to preserve brain health throughout your life?
Embracing Nutrition has launched a comprehensive five-pronged brain testing package for individuals wishing to learn more about how to support their unique and precious brain. Let’s have a deep dive now into this package to understand how it can provide personalised insights to help you take charge of your brain health.
The Nervous System Genetic Test assesses genetic variants known as SNPs. These influence the metabolism of brain chemicals and the regeneration of brain cells. Neurotransmitters are substances enabling brain cells to communicate with one another, for example serotonin and dopamine. Imbalances in these can cause mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Certain SNPs mean elevated amounts of specific nutrients might be needed to optimise the production or use of neurotransmitters.
On the other hand, the APOE Genetic Test assesses variants in the APOE gene. This gene regulates detoxification, methylation, control of inflammation, and neuroprotection, and has relevance for your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Certain variants of the gene have a protective effect against the disease, while another tends towards elevated risk. Knowing your risk enables you to adopt strategies to reduce your risk.
Both these genetic tests use a simple cheek swab.
The best-known collection of microbes in the human body is the gut microbiome, and its influence on brain and mood is obvious. Think about how an anxiety-provoking situation quickly causes gut issues. Conversely, science has discovered how alterations in gut microbes profoundly affect brain health and mood. This can be especially pronounced if the lining of your gut is inflamed and excessively permeable, a condition popularly known as leaky gut. Then, inflammatory chemicals produced by pathogenic microbes can gain access your bloodstream and, eventually, your brain.
The influence of the oral microbiome on brain health is not so widely appreciated. However, poor dental health and a disordered oral microbiome have been linked with cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease 1.
Our package includes tests to establish the health of both the gut microbiome and the oral microbiome. The GI360 Profile looks at a sample of your stool, self-collected in the privacy of your own home. It reveals a detailed picture of your microbiome and gut barrier health and how it’s affecting your brain health. For example, the test will highlight the types and species of bacteria and other microbes present, and whether there is an overgrowth of inflammatory bacteria. It will establish whether the bacteria in your microbiome are protecting or damaging your gut lining. It will also assess messenger chemicals being produced by your gut microbes. These substances can access brain cells and positively influence their health.
Meanwhile, the Oralis Oral Microbiome Report uses an oral swab to determine how bacteria in your mouth may be contributing to the health of brain cells. It detects one hundred species of bacteria along with genetic mutations. It also provides an overall risk score reflecting how your oral health may be impacting your overall health, including the health of your brain.
Many environmental toxins are capable of crossing the barrier between your blood and your brain, with consequent adverse effects on brain function.
The ToxDetect Environmental Toxins Panel looks at a sample of your urine to detect toxin exposure and how these may be impacting brain function. It will reveal the presence or absence of 26 commonly encountered toxins, from plastics, industry, agriculture, and personal care products. Once your body’s burden of toxins is known, steps can be taken to support your natural detoxification systems for their safe removal.
Once you discover the factors influencing your brain health, this will inform actionable strategies towards maximising your cognitive function and mood. Rather than being inert structures as was once believed, brains have the power to adapt to the environment. Sometimes they need a little help from positive lifestyle strategies like quality sleep or stress management, alongside sufficient amounts of the nutrients they require to function. If you are troubled by mood disorders, have problems remembering, a family history of cognitive disorders, or you are concerned about your brain’s toxic burden, we’re here to help.
Take charge of your brain health today by gaining a comprehensive picture of factors influencing your unique brain with our Brain Health Testing Package. Results will be available in an actionable format, but if you prefer, practitioner interpretation of your results is available at an additional charge. Or, if you’d like to chat it over first, why not book a FREE 15-minute Discovery Call?
If you want natural support and testing for your brain health, why not book a FREE Discovery Call to see how Functional Medicine can help?
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