Genova Diagnostics
Genova is one of our core functional testing laboratories, offering blood, urine, stool analysis and more.
Our Flagship Genova Test – NutrEval
NutrEval FMV (First Morning Void) test identifies key nutritional deficiencies. Using a combination of a urine sample and bloodwork.
The NutrEval FMV evaluates overall nutritional status to determine personalised supplementation needs for antioxidants, B vitamins, minerals, glutathione, essential fatty acids, amino acids, digestive support (due to identification of dysbiosis markers), and other crucial nutrients which are required for mitochondrial function.
This test is an advanced diagnostic tool that can guide nutritional therapies, and facilitate the healing of complex chronic conditions.
The test features:
- Metabolic Analysis (urine organic acids)
- Urine Amino Acid Analysis (essential and non-essential amino acids, plus intermediary metabolites)
- Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids (red blood cell essential and non-essential fatty acids, including Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids)
- Oxidative Stress Analysis (blood and urine biomarkers indicative of oxidative stress)
- Elemental Markers (both nutrient and toxic elements)
Useful for patients with:
- Mood Disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Digestive Complaints
- Chronic Pain/Inflammatory Conditions
- Musculoskeletal
- Migraine
- Cardiovascular Risk
- Weight Issues/Dietary Guidance
- General Health Interest and a Health “MOT”
- Sports Fitness Optimisation
Genova Metabolomix: a non-invasive comprehensive assessment
The Metabolomix+ is a unique combination of nutritional tests that provides an analysis of key nutritional biomarkers. A first morning void (FMV) urine collection, with optional add-on bloodspot finger stick and buccal swab (looking at fatty acids, metals or genetics), the Metabolomix+ nutritional test is a non-invasive option way to assess the functional need of the patient for antioxidants, B-vitamins, minerals, digestive support, fatty acids, and amino acids. Insights gained from the Metabolomix+ allows us to personalise our treatment.
The test is commonly used to assess overall health, but is also indicated for:
- Mood disorders
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
- fatigue
- chronic stress
- inflammation
Several diseases are associated with abnormal organic acid, amino acid, and fatty acid levels such as depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, neurocognitive decline, diabetes, cancer, and many others.
The Metabolomix+ Profile report categorizes results into several metabolic areas:
Organic Acids (urine)
- Malabsorption and Dysbiosis Markers are metabolites produced by the gastrointestinal microbiome
- Cellular Energy & Mitochondrial Markers are biomarkers of carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism, and the citric acid (Kreb’s) cycle
- Vitamin Markers are specific analytes used to assess functional levels of vitamin cofactors
- Neurotransmitter Metabolites are downstream byproducts of epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine
- Toxin & Detoxification Markers relate to certain toxic metabolites and the body’s detoxification capacity
- Oxalate Markers relate to kidney stone formation, oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction
Amino Acids (urine)
- Essential Amino Acids must be derived from dietary sources
- Nonessential Amino Acids are synthesized by the body
- Intermediary Metabolites are byproducts of amino acid metabolism
- Dietary Peptide Related Markers can indicate incomplete protein breakdown
Oxidative Stress Markers (urine) include the oxidative damage markers lipid peroxides and 8-OHdG
Add-ons include
- Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids – Bloodspot (if selected as add-on profile)
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids are essential for brain function and cardiovascular health and are anti-inflammatory
- Omega 6 Fatty Acids are involved in the balance of inflammation
- Omega 9 Fatty Acids are important for brain growth, nerve cell myelin, and reducing inflammation
- Saturated Fatty Acids are involved in liproprotein metabolism and adipose tissue inflammation
- Monounsaturated Fats include omega 7 fats and unhealthy trans fats
- Delta-6 Desaturase Activity assesses efficiency of this enzyme to metabolize omega 6’s and omega 3’s
- Cardiovascular Risk includes specific ratios and the Omega 3 Index
- Nutrient and Toxic Elements – urine (if selected as add-on profile) assesses 20 toxic and 15 mineral elements
- Genomics (if one or more of the following SNPs are selected as add-ons)
- APO E (C112R + R158C)
- MTHFR Combined (A1298C + C677T)
- TNF-α
- COMT (V158M)
Contact Us To Find Out More Or Order A Test
Other tests we frequently use include:
Amino acids (bloodspot, or urine)
The Amino Acids Analysis nutritional test helps to identify metabolic imbalances underlying many chronic disorders. Specifically, this nutritional test looks at dietary protein adequacy and assimilation, as well as metabolic imbalances underlying many chronic disorders.
Amino acids play a role in:
- Neurotransmitter function
- Pain control
- pH regulation
- Detoxification
- Cholesterol metabolism
- Control of inflammation
And are essential for life as they are the building blocks for our structure, hormones, immune system, and more.
Ensuring proper balance between amino acids and conversion capacity is important to understand chronic disorder and prevention of chronic disease.
Bisphenol (BPA) Profile
The Bisphenol A Profile can help identify exposure to the common endocrine disruptors BPA, triclosan, and 4-nonylphenol.
Endocrine disruptors weakly bind to oestrogen receptors which can affect the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems as well as block thyroid hormone action. Exposure to xenoestrogenic chemicals disrupt the proper function of the body’s endocrine system. Children and babies in the womb are most susceptible to hormonal and neurological development issues from exposure.
Bisphenol A
Bisphenol A (BPA) is found mostly in plastics labeled with the recycling codes 3 or 7. BPA is a key monomer used to produce polycarbonate plastic which is usually clear and shatter- proof. BPA is used to coat the inside of food and beverage cans.
BPA studies have been linked to obesity, neurological development delays in infants, thyroid disruption, developmental issues of sexual organs in infants, and sexual dysfunction in adults. Exposure to BPA occurs mostly through digestion of food and liquids that have been stored and heated in plastic materials.
Triclosan
Triclosan is an anti-microbial and preservative agent used in personal care products used in the home. Triclosan bioaccumulates in the body and is considered to block thyroid activity affecting metabolism and thyroid hormone signalling.
4-Nonylphenol
4-nonylphenol is an endocrine disruptor used as a surfactant and found in industrial detergents, foaming agents, dispersants, and emulsifiers. Most exposure is through the skin.
Elemental Analysis
Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis
Methylation Panel
The Methylation Panel looks at the critical biochemical methylation pathway. Methylation is a chemical process that happens billions of times per second in every cell of the body. Methyl groups are transferred and donated between many different molecules which change their structure and function. Methyl groups act like multiple switches which turn genes on or off, help regulate mood, plays a role in fat metabolism, immune response, vascular health, cell membrane repair. Detoxification of hormones hormones and other compounds, energy production and ageing.
Vitamins, minerals, and amino acids from the diet are needed to keep this process running smoothly. There are also genetic variations (SNPs) and oxidative stressors which can affect how well this pathway works.
Methylation defects have been associated with many clinical conditions including, but not limited to cancer, autism, ADHD, congenital and neural tube defects, cognitive decline, depression, cardiovascular disease, and schizophrenia,
This panel can uncover needs for nutritional support such as amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to avoid methylation defects having an impact on health.
Nutrient and Toxic Elements
Erythrocyte and whole blood toxic element levels are good indicators of body pools of essential elements as well as the toxic elements aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. This profile can accurately assess whole body status of potassium and selenium.
Whole Blood generally reflects increased or recent exposure to toxic elements and levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury are measured.
Nutrient elements are measured in erythrocytes and toxic elements are measured in whole blood. One exception is selenium, which is measured in whole blood as a reliable index of selenium status.
Porphyrins
Porphyrins are proteins involved in the formation of heme measured in urine. Heme is essential for the proper function of many proteins including oxygen transport, energy production, and detoxification. Proper porphyrin production is essential for our body’s capacity to detoxify toxins.
The Porphyrins Profile can help identify the severity of heavy metal toxicity or organic chemical exposure in patients. Chemical exposure and a heavy toxic burden can have physiological effects resulting in impaired metabolism and cellular function.
This test helps to assess:
- Levels of biochemical damage caused by toxicant exposure
- Toxic burden of the individual
- Levels of porphyrin elevation correlated with levels of toxic interference
- Toxicity of patients before and during chelation therapy
- Toxicity of therapeutic drugs
Secretory IgA
SIgA is an important indicator of digestive immune function and mucosal immune health.
Chronic intestinal infections (due to bacterial, yeast or parasites), poor digestive function, food sensitivities, ageing, antibiotics, medication and stress all decrease sIgA levels.
Low levels can lead to recurrent infections and food intolerances. Very low levels of this important antibody class have also been observed in autistic spectrum disorders.