Organic Acid Testing (OAT)

Question 1

Organic acids

Answer 1

Organic acids are natural by-products (metabolites) created from the functioning of many enzymatic pathways in the body — including mitochondrial activity.

• They can be measured by urinalysis.
• It is an indirect way of identifying needs for vitamins and minerals, and other factors.

Question 2

When to use OAT

Answer 2

Cases of chronic fatigue, suspected nutritional d suspected mitochondrial dysfunction, autism, mood disorders.

Question 3

OAT benefits

Answer 3

• Can give you a good overview of metabolic function — helping you to see where areas of weakness might be in biochemical pathways and therefore, an extra need for certain nutrients.
• Can help to guide your naturopathic care plan into clear areas that need addressing or further investigation

Question 4

OAT downsides

Answer 4

• Can be hard to interpret — use the specific interpretation guides provided by each lab and their support materials.
• Diet eaten at the time of the test can really impact on markers — changing the results.
• Not measuring the vitamin directly — so you are making an assumption based on function

Question 5

OAT metabolite groups

Answer 5

• Markers associated with nutritional function.
• Metabolites associated. with the Krebs Cycle.
• Some neurotransmitter metabolites.
• Oxalate metabolism.
• Glycolysis metabolites (balance between lactate / pyruvate).
• Ketone and fatty acid oxidation metabolites.
• Indicators of detoxification.
• Amino acid metabolites.
• Bacterial metabolites associated with dysbiosis. Some tests include. environmental toxins such as exposure to phthalates, parabens, toluene etc