Metabolomic Analysis

The science that studies and measures the chemical reactions within a living organism is called Metabolomics.

Metabolomic Analysis is a test involving the measurement of very small molecules - metabolites - in order to evaluate one's health condition. According to the Harvard Magazine (May 2011) “Metabolomics is the simplest and more reflective of the health status. It incorporates environmental influences, for example, from exercise and diet.”

Metabolomics takes it’ s name in accordance to other biology sciences adding the suffix –omics, which means the study of the relations between molecules of a similar group:

-        Gen-omics: study of genes
-        Prote-omics: study of proteins
-        Metabol-omics: study of metabolites

The measurement of metabolites is one of the most accurate tests available for the tracking and detection of specific dietary, environmental and metabolic causes concerning insoluble health problems. State o f the art, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Analyses, allows us to detect and measure chemical substances in infinitesimal amounts. (Tandem LC/MS)

Our body is an internal combustion engine burning carbon in the presence of oxygen, at 37^οC. In order for these complex chemical reactions - that characterize the regular function of our organism - to take place, the presence of sufficient quantities of a multitude of components is necessary.

Through metabolomics and the measurement of basic metabolic markers, we can measure the end results of these chemical reactions - the metabolites - and detect precisely which of these are normally carried out and which either hypo or hyper-function.

When a metabolic pathway within our body is affected, the function of all cells in the body is also affected.

The diagnostic and therapeutical approach through the measurement and recording of human body metabolites is called Metabolomics.

According to the FDA the Metabolomic Profile is an integral part towards the application of Personalized Medicine. "Metabolic profiling is an essential component that along with genetics, transcriptomics and proteomics data will permit a detailed description of the interactions between metabolites, proteins, transcripts and genes in the health and disease continuum."

The Metabolomic Analysis Profile assesses:

Lipid metabolism
Nerve cell and neurotransmitter metabolism (substances transferring signals in the nervous system)
Carbohydrate metabolism (sugar, complex carbohydrates, fructose)
The oxidative condition and antioxidant mechanisms status
The lack or sufficiency in vitamins and micronutrients
The condition of the intestinal flora of the body
Inflammation
The ability to detoxify and the toxic charge
The factors of DNA methylation (activation and functioning of genes)
Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Omega 3 and free fatty acids metabolism

In this image you can see some of the major metabolites and metabolic pathways measured
through a Metabolomic Analysis Profile.

This specific test may provide us with evidence of vital importance for diseases such as:

Autoimmune Diseases
Heart Diseases
Diabetes
Cancer
Neurologic Diseases
Gastro-intestinal diseases
Chronic fatigue
Autism
Obesity
Prevention

The Metabolomic Analysis Profile test is carried out in blood and urine samples and in collaboration with one of the 5 top laboratories of its kind in the USA and Europe with the high technical standards required to carry out an exam certified by the European Research Network for Diagnosis and treatment of Inherited disorders of Metabolism (ERNDIM, the scientific institution with the highest laboratory standards worldwide) and the US Center for Disease Control (CDC).

References

harvardmagazine.com/2011/05/the-fingerprints-of-diabetes-and-other-diseases
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2899018/?tool=pubmed
harvardmagazine.com/2011/05/fathoming-metabolism?page=all
Metabolomics
www.fda.gov/ScienceResearch/SpecialTopics/
Presentation of Metabolomics
Metabolomics Oncology