This test is useful for

• Chemical Exposure
• Detoxification Therapy
• Liver Detoxification Function

Find out more

• View Sample Report

• Environmental Exposure and Detoxification Brochure

• Please contact us at (714) 864-3730 or pe@anti-fragilityhealth.com to order your test.

Environmental Exposure and Detoxification

Environmental chemical exposure has never been more pervasive with thousands of chemicals in use around the world. Many chemicals are integrated into our food supply, the air we breathe and the water we drink. Every day, we ingest small amounts of many chemicals and our bodies cannot metabolize and clear all of them. Chemicals not metabolized are stored in the fat cells throughout our bodies, where they continue to accumulate. As these chemicals build up they alter our metabolism, cause enzyme dysfunction and nutritional deficiencies, create hormonal imbalances, damage brain chemistry and can cause cancer. Because the chemicals accumulate in different parts of the body—at different rates and in different combinations—there are many different chronic illnesses that can result.

Doctor's Data offers a spectrum of tests designed to evaluate the exposure to environmental toxins, and assess the body's capacity for endogenous detoxification. Especially important for the latter category is the Plasma Methylation Profile.

Detailed Information

The production, use and disposal of toxic chemicals and synthetic materials have increased the risk of exposure to health-threatening toxins. Causal relationships between toxic chemicals and diseases have been well established. However many patients endure chronic symptoms that are associated with exposure to toxins before advanced stages of specific diseases are realized. Thus, there is a great demand for noninvasive laboratory tests that can provide timely assessment of chemical exposure and the capability of hepatic detoxification. One process by which the body eliminates toxins is enzymatic detoxification in the liver. A reliable biomarker for exposure to toxic chemicals is urinary D-glucaric acid. Elevated levels of D-glucaric acid indicate induction of cytochrome P-450 enzymes (phase I) as a result of exposure to many xenobiotics, including pesticides, fungicides, petrochemicals, drugs, toluene, formaldehyde, styrenes and more. Such exposures induce the glucuronic acid enzymatic pathway and production of D-glucaric acid, thus urinary D-glucaric acid is an indirect byproduct of chemical exposure and phase I detoxification reactions. The urinary level of mercapturic acids indicates quantitatively the degree of activity or capability of phase II detoxification. Mercapturic acids are the final excretory products of detoxification and include a variety of functionalized xenobiotics that have been conjugated with glutathione or L-cysteine prior to excretion. Low levels of mercapturic acids are consistent with insufficient levels of glutathione and/or cysteine. When the rate of formation of functionalized xenobiotics (phase I) exceeds the capacity of phase II detoxification, more potent toxins accumulate. Especially important for symptomatic patients or those who have a history of chemical sensitivity, this test does not require the use of hepatotoxic compounds. This non-invasive test requires only a single, first morning void (FMV) urine collection. Results are expressed per unit creatinine to normalize for dilution effects, and reference ranges are age and gender specific. The test does not replace comprehensive liver tests for cases of advanced liver disease.

Before You Start:

Please read all of the directions, and familiarize yourself with the collection procedures. A first morning void urine collection is recommended for the Hepatic Detox Profile.

The test requires no special diet but if you are taking sulfur containing medications or dietary supplements such as DMSA, DMPS, MSM, etc., please finish the course of medication, and then wait 4 days before starting this collection. A positive (or elevated) level of D-Glucaric Acid may result if you are using medications such as barbiturates, tranquilizers, digoxins, quinidine, or alcohol. Please refrain from taking non-essential medications, dietary supplements, and alcohol for 72 hours prior to and during the specimen collection, unless otherwise instructed by your physician. Never discontinue prescription medications without first consulting your physician.

Female patients should not collect urine during a menstrual period.

More Instructions:

• Collection Instructions