What is Organic Acid Testing?

Organic acid testing helps assess nutritional deficiencies that can affect a patient's metabolic pathways. Organic acids are cellular byproducts produced through biochemical pathways required for survival, like energy production, protein and fatty acid metabolism, and detoxification.

These pathways need sufficient vitamin and mineral levels to run efficiently; organic acid metabolites build up when insufficiencies or deficiencies occur.

Which patients is the organic Acid test best used for?

OAT can act as a beneficial first-line tool test that provides a snapshot into multiple aspects of a person's health, providing clues about the gut microbiome, nutrient deficiencies, neurotransmitter levels, and toxic exposure that could be underlying the cause of a patient's presenting disease or symptom.

OAT has also been researched for its utility in assessing specific disorders:

• Gastrointestinal overgrowth of Candida and Clostridia, inability to detoxify environmental toxins, and food sensitivities/allergies have been implicated in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders. The OAT is designed to measure specific organic acids correlated with ASD severity, including oxalates along with identifying markers indicative of nutritional deficiencies and methylation problems that can contribute to ASD.

• Nutrient deficiencies, neurotransmitter imbalances, and exposure to environmental and pathogenic toxins can all contribute to the development and severity of mood and behavior disorders like ADHD, anxiety, and depression. The OAT can identify elevated markers indicative of Candida and Clostridia overgrowth; norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin imbalances; and B vitamins and magnesium insufficiencies - all of which can negatively impact mood.

• Deficiency in an enzyme called Dopamine Beta-Hydroxylase is linked to symptoms of neurocognitive decline seen in diseases like Parkinson‘s and Alzheimer. Candida overgrowth, mold exposure, and nutritional deficiencies can contribute to this deficiency.

• Nutritional deficiencies, neurotransmitter imbalances, and oxalate deposition can all contribute to chronic pain.

Do you need more information? Please give us a call or text at Dr. Neda Naturopathy Clinic at (949) 434-0425 today to schedule a consult session!