The first diagnostic stage looks at key markers in the blood. In order to make the most of our initial appointment, I urge you to complete blood work ahead of time, and come with results prepared. Make sure to fast for 12 hours before having your blood taken. Your results should include the following:

• CBC (complete blood count)
• CMP (complete metabolic panel)
• LDH (lactate dehydrogenase)
• HSCRP/CRP/C-reactive protein
• Sedimentation rate (ESR)
• Vit D 25-hydroxy (D3)
• Retinol (Vitamin A)
• Homocysteine
• Insulin, fasting
• HbA1C
• IGF-1
• Ferritin
• Copper and Ceruloplasmin
• VEG-F
• Fibrinogen
• Mercury
• TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
• Free T3
• Thyroid Antibodies (anti-TPO and anti-thyroglobulin AB)
• Cortisol
• Pregnenolone

In this stage, we are on the lookout for specific irregularities, such as high or low platelet count, which indicates blood clotting - or ferritin, which is a protein that stores iron. Based on this information, we can start proposing some dietary protocols.

Nutritional genomics looks at the relationship between a person’s genes and their diet. It provides insights into how dietary intake affects the expression of certain genes, and conversely, how an individual’s particular genetic makeup affects how they process different foods or nutrients. A DNA test is, therefore, critical in determining how each patient should approach their dietary protocol. Patients with autoimmune disorders are often prescribed the keto diet, which is high in fat and can therefore impact their cholesterol levels. While it may seem as though this would not be an issue for patients who are eating healthy and exercising, their cholesterol levels may, in fact, be unusually high due to genetic factors. They could be genetically predisposed to high cholesterol, in which case their personalized keto diet would have to be modified in order to get just the right amount - and the right kind - of fat. Additionally, using our other diagnostics, we would look at gallbladder health, as this is the organ that stores bile, which the body uses to break down fat for digestion.

You can order your test here: nutritiongenome.com

For a deeper understanding of the relationship between nutrition and genetics, check out our article on Genetics and Epigenetics

In this stage, the patient uses the Nutri-Q nutritional analysis tool, which asks them 300+ questions about bodily systems and organ function. The answers are processed by an algorithm, which Natalya uses to generate a “map” of the patient’s health and evaluate the potential sources of their issues.

Access the tool at the Nutri-Q website

The “Food and Mood Journal” is a tool that allows us to collect important information not tracked by the Cronometer. It asks clients to describe their meals and activities, as well as how they react to each one. This is crucial because, for example, the same nutrient can be found in multiple foods, some of which can be found to cause bloating in the client, while others do not. The “Food and Mood Journal” can also help adjust lifestyle habits or sequences of activities. The activities in themselves can be beneficial, but not in the order or manner in which the client engages in them.

The process of filling out the journal is also an excellent way to raise one’s awareness of dietary and lifestyle habits. It allows clients to get to know themselves better and become more in tune with their bodies. This in itself can have a powerful supportive effect on various healing processes.

The “Journal” forms can be downloaded from our website (see link below). Ideally, the client uses the journal for seven days prior to our initial consultation, but because of the effort required, most are only able to do so for three days. This is generally sufficient, since we use multiple diagnostic tools to make sure we don’t miss anything in our assessment. Any number of days beyond three will improve the quality and depth of your analysis.

[Download Food and Mood Journal Form]

After studying the blood work, computer diagnostic results, nutritional genome, and Food and Mood Journal, I invite the patient in for a functional evaluation. This involves palpation, which means manually applying pressure to different parts of the body to discover any irregular instances of pain or discomfort. An organ system under stress will attract additional fluid (blood or lymph) to the network of vessels around it, causing tenderness, which the palpation will highlight. The evaluation typically lasts between 40 and 60 minutes.

The functional evaluation either confirms the hypotheses made on the basis of blood work and computer diagnostics, or reveals something new, which can be studied with additional tests. For example, a patient’s blood work may indicate normal pancreatic function, while computer diagnostics show signs of irregularity. Using palpation, we can find out whether a patient feels pain or discomfort in areas linked to pancreatic health, and whether we need to study this area more closely.

Lingual-Neuro testing is a biofeedback tool used to test the effectiveness of dietary supplements in addressing specific health issues. A supplement, often in tablet form, is placed on the patient’s tongue while a functional evaluation is performed. If a patient who previously felt pain or discomfort during the evaluation reports the pain or discomfort reducing after being administered the supplement, it means the supplement can be effective in alleviating their condition. The tongue responds powerfully to contact with different substances, and changes in organ tenderness occur within 15 seconds if the substance is promising.

Lingual-neuro testing which allows us to use educated guesses based on other diagnostics, combined with trial and error, to determine which supplements work best for a specific patient.

It is important to note that we must be very careful with supplements. For example, vitamins come in many different forms, and not every form of a given vitamin is effective and healthful for every patient. Supplements should also not be taken for longer than necessary, as the body will eventually reach a threshold amount that it needs from a particular source. At that point, taking the supplement should either be discontinued, or an alternative source found.

The final diagnostic step involves using the Cronometer app (available on desktop and mobile), a tool that we use to establish and track a bio-individualized dietary plan. It helps to lose or gain weight - depending on a client’s specific needs - and manage inflammation in the body.

Using all of the insights gained from our other diagnostics, we come up with a personalized nutritional plan that spans a minimum of three and a maximum of four weeks. It typically takes two weeks for the body to adapt to a new diet, so we use the third week to observe the changes and decide on subsequent steps, including an updated food regimen.

The Cronometer app features a catalog of food items and their nutritional values, making it easy for the client to input everything they eat throughout the day and track it over the course of their diet. The results are displayed on a dashboard that includes all micro and macronutrients, along with indicators for whether the client has had the right amount of each one, over-consumed or under-consumed.

Precise tracking of these values is critical, as the treatment of chronic illnesses and cancers requires people to avoid spikes in blood sugar and to maintain very specific levels of different nutrients to assist in healing.

Download the Cronometer app