The Dude Abides said...
Since becoming ill (this latest time) four years ago, I feel much more overwhelmed by even the smallest decisions. I don't recall having this issue when I was feeling well. Or, if I did, it wasn't nearly this bad. Now, if I have more than a few things to consider, my brain gets caught in over-analyzing all the purported advantages/disadvantages -- then trying to determine if those advantages/disadvantages are actually true -- and I have difficulty reaching a decision. It's maddening.
As for nutrient testing, I had considered SpectraCell (https://www.spectracell.com), but, again, I haven't made-up my mind. 
I've had a "NutrEval" test through Genova Diagnostics and a "Toxic & Essential Elements Hair Analysis" through Doctor's Data, but there seems to be no consensus on the validity or usefulness of these tests -- except for making money for the ordering providers by markups in the tests and/or selling a never-ending supply of supplements. I've not done any chelation testing for toxins/metals.
dcd2103 said...
Dude, did you get any actionable advice or insight from the NutrEval? I know you said you were undecided, but curious if your mind has changed or if you ended up trying the SpectraCell? Just curious about your current thoughts...
Howdy, dcd2103:
Thanks for the questions. The NutrEval was back around mid-2014. At the time, my findings showed I was:
* "Normal" for Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, α-Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, and Molybdenum
* "Borderline" for B2, B3, B6, B7, B9, B12, Manganese, and Zinc
* "High Need" for B1 and Magnesium
There were supplement recommendations, of course. First, there were "baseline" suggestions for daily amounts of Antioxidants, B-Vitamins, and Minerals that I would take even without any (alleged) deficiencies. Then, above those recommendations, it was suggested I add an extra 50 mg daily of B1 and 800 mg daily of magnesium.
Plus, there were suggestions of 500 mg daily of Omega-3 Oils, 50 Billion CFU daily of probiotics, and 5,000 IU of Pancreatic Enzymes.
In going back and looking at this again, it showed my Vitamin C, CoQ10, and Glutathione values were maxed-out at the high end of the "Normal" range. I must have been doing some things well, if the test can be believed. By that time, I think I'd since abandoned my strict low-carb approach and had reintroduced lots of fruits and starchy vegetables, due to my extreme fatigue that returned toward the end of 2013. I wish I'd made that dietary change a year or two earlier.
Anyway, as for the NutrEval, there was also pages showing:
* A visual of the Krebs Cycle and my specific numbers for the different parts of this cycle (
e.g. Pyruvic Acid, Lactic Acid, β-OH-butyric Acid, etc.)
* A page showing "Metabolic Analysis Markers," such as "Malabsorption and Dysbiosis Markers," "Cellular Energy and Mitochondrial Metabolites," Neurotransmitter Metabolites," "Toxin and Detoxification Markers," and others.
* A page showing "Amino Acids (Plasma)" with subcategories like "Nutritionally Essential Amino Acids," "Nonessential Protein Amino Acids," "Intermediary Metabolites," and others.
* A page showing "Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Markers (RBCs)," such as "Omega 3 Fatty Acids," "Omega 6 Fatty Acids," "Omega 6 Fatty Acids," "Monounsaturated Fats," "Saturated Fatty Acids," and others.
* A page showing a visual of "Essential Fatty Acid Metabolism" and where my specific lab numbers fit into each phase of the chain and the necessary vitamin and mineral cofactors needed in the process.
* Plus more
Then, there were a few pages of detailed commentary about
various markers, my levels of them (if high or low), and what they mean. Here are just two examples:
"2,3 Dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid (DHPPA) is elevated. This organic acid is a byproduct of the bacterial metabolism of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and/or tryptophan. Research has identified various species of Clostridia in the in-vitro production of this compound. Other research on quinoline demonstrates production of DHPPA by Pseudomonas species. Presence of elevated levels of DHPPA in the urine may thus suggest overgrowth of Clostridia and/or Pseudomonas, as well as a degree of malabsorption of aromatic amino acids. A comprehensive stool analysis is suggested.""Lysine is low in the plasma. This nutritionally essential amino acid is needed for formation of body proteins and enzymes. Transaminase enzymes, those that catalyze transfer of amino groups from amino acids to organic or ketoacids, include lysine (as a lysyl residue) which is the anchor point for coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate. Much of the coenzyme activity of vitamin B6 is linked to lysine by this structure. Lysine is abundant in protein foods - meat, fish, fowl, and legumes - but may be insufficient in some vegetarian diets, particularly those based on corn, rice of cereal grains. Symptoms consistent with lysine insufficiency include weight loss, poor appetite, muscle weakness, poor muscle tone, growth failure (infants, children), anemia. Usually, low blood levels of lysine result from dietary protein insufficiency. Rarely low blood levels of lysine are secondary to renal wasting in cystinuria. Also rarely, low blood lysine is secondary to lysinuric protein intolerance or to lysine malabsorption which is an intestinal and renal transport defect for this amino acid. A 24-hour urine amino acid analysis would rule out or help to confirm these possibilities."Finally, coming back to the original question:
Did I get any actionable advice or insight from the NutrEval?This is a bit tough to answer. Initially, I was inclined to say "No." But, I don't want to be unfair or discourage you or anyone else from having the test, should that be a consideration. (I paid out-of-pocket and it wasn't cheap.)
Yes, there was actionable advice. However, the advice did not lead to me recovering. Now, that's just me. I'm a sample size of one. While I haven't looked, I'm pretty sure I could find folks who felt the NutrEval was of great benefit.
Most of us on this forum are dealing with multiple complex issues. The NutrEval test was only one tool and meant to be considered in conjunction with other testing. This, of course, is assuming one has a healthcare team that knows what to do with all the information. The bigger assumption, perhaps, is that we know what to measure, know what the values should be, and that the specimen gathering, handling, measuring, and quantifying are all correct.
All that stated, I did find the NutrEval test to be quite interesting. If I had the financial resources, I'd be interested to run the same test again, just to see how the results look six years later and see what has changed.
As for SpectraCell, I never had any testing done through them.
Until just recently, I'd not had any testing of any sort for a few years. I'd sorta given up on it, due to the cost, the uncertainty that I'd felt (and read) about
many of the specialized tests, and the nagging voice in the back of my head that I wasn't likely going to supplement my way to health. Supplements ≠ Food. It's similar, I guess, to my thinking about
diets -- there are no "magic" foods or macronutrient ratios that will unlock the mysteries of the universe.
Certainly, I do believe supplements have their place and do benefit people. The term "supplement" can mean a wide variety of things. There's vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, herbs, etc. And, regarding diets, what we eat absolutely matters. For most reasonable people, I don't believe this is controversial. But, we all know what's food and what isn't.
I'm not sure if I've offered anything helpful, but I hope so. Should you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Since I don't subscribe to any posts, I sometimes miss a reply. If I do, feel free to e-mail me directly.
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Post Edited (The Dude Abides) : 12/29/2020 7:32:52 PM (GMT-7)