COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 337
nutrients, or increase how much of a nutrient is lost through urine or
waste. Knowing which drugs affect which nutrients helps you
support your clients more effectively with targeted nutrition
strategies.
Note: You’ll learn more about Cyrex when we profile test
manufacturers in later lessons.
Functional & At‐Home Testing
At‐Home Assessments
HCL challenge, bowel transit time, zinc taste test, iodine patch,
salivary/urinary pH checks.
One significant reason for digestive issues is insufficient stomach
hydrochloric acid (HCL). The parietal cells in your stomach are
responsible for producing this acid. HCL is crucial because it helps
break down the food you eat. When there is inadequate HCL,
food may move from your stomach into your small intestine too
quickly.
The HCL challenge is a test to determine if you need supplemental
hydrochloric acid for digestion. It involves taking HCL capsules with
meals and monitoring for uncomfortable stomach symptoms.
HCL Challenge
Day 1:
Take one HCL capsule before each meal. Pay attention to any
discomfort, such as bloating or a feeling of fullness. If you
experience discomfort with one capsule, you are not deficient in
HCL and should stop the test.
Day 2:
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