The CDC deems obesity as a factor increasing the risks for diseases like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and potentially can constrain physical activity and lead to disabilities as with strokes and heart attacks. They have noted that $173 billion is spent a year on healthcare for obesity in the United States. From their data, 678,000 deaths per year in the US are attributed to poor nutrition and obesity-related diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The CDC also notes significant increases in obesity rates over the last 30 years, doubling for adults, tripling in children and quadrupling in adolescents.
Nutrition tests focus on measuring levels of important nutrients and substances the body requires such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids, and identifying the presence of substances that can indicate potential health concerns. For example, glucose and diabetes, leptin and obesity, homocysteine and heart disease.
Nutrition is the process of taking in food to process and absorb nutrients from, for the growth, development, and functioning of the body. As such, a healthy diet encompassing necessary nutrients is necessary to maintain the health and wellness of the body and all its systems. A high quality diet would include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy proteins and healthy fats, and exclude refined sugar and processed food products. This has the potential to facilitate a strong immune system, a balanced gut microbiome, support a healthy weight, and potentially decrease risks for certain disease conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues.
Testing for nutrition can be helpful for patient health and wellness, by increasing awareness of diet choices, uncovering deficiencies or excesses of certain nutrients, and identifying increased risks for certain diseases.
Nutrition tests analyze urine and blood tests to determine presence and levels of substances significant to the health status of the patient. A variety of tests are available through Rupa Health and include:
Along with nutrition testing, a physical examination, health history, and a diet and lifestyle diary can be helpful to determine nutritional status and potential health risks. Depending on assessment outcome, additional testing such as determining the status of the gut microbiome can be beneficial.
Nutrition testing can reveal deficiencies or areas of concern regarding patient health status. Early treatment plans can assist patients in improving nutritional status prior to potential decline in health, or be proactive in supporting a current quality nutritional health state.
Some treatment plans can include:
