Organic acids are metabolic intermediates that are produced in pathways of central energy production, detoxification, neurotransmitter breakdown, or intestinal microbial activity. Marked accumulation of specific organic acids detected in urine often signals a metabolic inhibition or block. The metabolic block may be due to a nutrient deficiency, an inherited enzyme deficit, toxic build-up or drug effect. Several of the biomarkers are markers of intestinal bacterial or yeast overgrowth.
What we test
Nutritional BioMarkers
Measuring levels of these vitamins and co-factors is valuable for assessing nutritional status, identifying deficiencies, and understanding how effectively the body is using these essential nutrients. Each of these nutrients plays a critical role in a wide range of physiological processes. Biomarkers included are:
Pyridoxic Acid (Vitamin B6): Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): Glutaric Acid (Vitamin B2): Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)CoQ10 CoEnzyme-Q10 (CoQ10) N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) Biotin (Vitamin H)
Methylation Cofactors
Methylation cofactors are nutrients and compounds that play critical roles in the methylation cycle, a biochemical process essential for DNA methylation, gene expression, detoxification, neurotransmitter synthesis, and overall cellular function.
Elevated MMA is associated with Vitamin B12 deficiency
Elevated levels of FIGLU are associated with a deficiency of folic acid
Neurotransmitter Metabolism
5HIAA is a breakdown product of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter for mood regulation, making you feel calm and at peace. Serotonin also helps regulate the gut and decreases pain sensitivity.
Toxicants and Detoxification
Measuring these organic acids provides insights into liver detoxification efficiency and environmental toxin exposure. They can also detect oxidative damage , as well as issues in mitochondrial function.
Gut Bacterial and Yeast Imbalance
Measuring these organic acids provides critical insights into metabolic health, gut function, detoxification capacity, and microbial balance. Elevated microbial metabolites can help pinpoint bacterial or fungal overgrowth.
Oxalate Metabolites
Oxalates are produced or absorbed in the gut. Dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria) can increase oxalate absorption, especially if beneficial bacteria are low. Identifying elevated oxalates can indicate the need for gut health support, such as probiotics, fibre or antimicrobials.
This urine test measures:
The oxalic acid (oxalate) 24-hour urine test measures the amount of oxalate excreted in urine over a 24-hour period. This test is crucial for evaluating and managing conditions related to kidney health and metabolic disorders. High levels of urinary oxalate can indicate an increased risk for calcium oxalate kidney stones, the most common type of kidney stones. It can also suggest hyperoxaluria, a condition characterized by excessive oxalate excretion, which can be primary (genetic) or secondary (due to dietary factors or intestinal disorders). Conversely, low oxalate levels are generally not of concern but may sometimes reflect dietary insufficiency or specific metabolic conditions.
A typical reference range is 13 to 44 mg/24 hours (0.14 to 0.49 mmol/24 hours)
B-Complex Vitamins & Amino Acid Markers
B-complex vitamins and amino acid markers are crucial components that reflect the status of vitamin-dependent biochemical pathways and amino acid metabolism. These markers help in assessing nutritional status, detecting deficiencies or imbalances, and identifying potential metabolic disorders.
Carbohydrate Metabolism/ Glycolysis
Your body converts carbohydrates into glucose, then into energy. This process requires several B vitamins and lipoic acid.
Ketone/ Fatty Acid Metabolites
Your body breaks down fats for energy, a process that depends on nutrients like carnitine and vitamin B2 (riboflavin). High levels of certain fatty acid metabolites may suggest a deficiency in these nutrients – particularly carnitine.
Citric Acid Cycle Metabolites
Citric Acid Cycle Metabolites serve both anabolic and catabolic functions. They are the final common pathway of energy release from catabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. They are the source of basic structural molecules that are drawn away from the cycle to support organ maintenance and neurological function-anabolic processes. They are at the crossroads of food conversion and utilisation. Spillage of Citric Acid Cycle intermediates into the urine may indicate mitochondrial inefficiencies in energy production. A block in any step may cause a build up of compounds that precede this step. Amino acids supply carbon skeletons for maintaining mitochondrial concentrations. Citrate, cis-Aconitate and Isocitrate are the key organic acids in this biochemical pathway and are responsible for aerobic energy production.
Pyruvic acid supplies energy to living cells through the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) when oxygen is present (aerobic respiration). It ferments to produce lactic acid when oxygen is lacking (fermentation). Pyruvate is the output of the anaerobic metabolism of glucose known as glycolysis.
Elevated by a number of nonspecific influences, such as vigorous exercise, bacterial overgrowth of the GI tract, shock, poor perfusion, B-vitamin deficiency, mitochondrial dysfunction or damage, and aneemia.
Elevations may be due to increased intake of citric acid containing foods or result from intestinal yeast producing citric acid or perhaps inhibiting the human citric acid cycle. Increased citric acid may also indicate depletion of glutathione, which is required for the enzyme aconitase to metabolise both aconitic and citric acids.
Aconitase, the enzyme that metabolises citric and aconitic acids, is dependent upon glutathione. Elevated in mitochondrial disorders (e.g. Complex I and Pierson Syndrome). Elevated aconitic acid may indicate an additional requirement for reduced glutathione.
This is an endproduct in the metabolism of aci-Aconitate in the Krebs Cycle. Low levels of isocitrate are suggestive of enzyme inhibition with Fluoride, Mercury, Arsenic or Tin.
α-Ketoglutaric acid is one of two ketone derivatives of glutaric acid. Its anion, α-ketoglutarate is an important biological compound. It is the keto acid produced by deamination of glutamate, and is an intermediate in the Krebs cycle.
An elevated result may also indicate a relative deficiency of riboflavin and/or coenzyme Q10. Also produced by bacterial degradation of unabsorbed glutamine supplement.
Increased fumaric acid may be due to impaired Krebs cycle function, a defect in the enzyme fumarase or in mitochondrial function.
Slightly elevated values usually indicate a higher need for nutrients such as niacin and coenzyme Q10. When malic acid is simultaneously elevated with citric, fumaric and 2-ketoglutaric acids, a mitochondrial energy pathway dysfunction is strongly suggested.
A waste molecule generated from muscle metabolism, and an accurate marker of kidney function.
Test instructions
You’ll receive your urine test kit in the mail, along with logistics for your sample collection.
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