Clinical Metabolomics has been called the “Stethoscope” of the 21st Century and is foundational module of the Essential HOMeHOPe Certification. In it, you will lean how to detect and correct exogenous and endogenous metabolites that make up our metabolome. The metabolome represents the collection of all metabolites in a biological cell, tissue, organ or organism that are required for maintenance, growth, and optimized function. These include the vitamins, minerals, cofactors, oxidants, antioxidants, amino acids, and metabolic products from cellular energy production and gut microbiota. The metabolites, being the end products of genetic expression, reflect what is happening at the cellular level, even before illness is detected. This is a 12-week online module (including a 2-week online examination period) intended for doctors and health practitioners who want to establish a basic understanding of Clinical Metabolomics as a method for detecting and correcting borderline deficiencies and subtle toxicities, starting with the major nutrient networks. At the end of the module, students are expected to acquire basic knowledge and skills for incorporating metabolomics for health management in their clinical practice. *Required for Essential HOMe/HOPe Course completion. This is the only module required before you can enroll in the other modules of the Essential HOMe/HOPe course. The Metabolomics Course Syllabus Week 1: Introduction to Clinical Metabolomics Week one provides a detailed overview of the field of metabolomics as well as the Metabolomics Module. Week 2: Toxicities Subtle and borderline toxicities from heavy metals, pollutants in the air, and other toxins can significantly impair cellular processes. In addition, elevated metabolites of oxidative stress are often a sign of systemic toxicity. In this lesson, we describe methods and strategies of detecting and correcting for indications of toxicity and oxidative stress using urinary and blood metabolites. Week 3: Gut Health The gut is the most exposed organ in the body. Ensuring its integrity is critical for health. At the end of this lesson, the student shall be able to detect (test for) imbalances in the gut microbiota metabolites and create the corresponding health optimization plan for the client. Week 4: Cellular Energy and Mitochondrial Metabolites Intermediates in the chemical reactions that breakdown fats, carbohydrates and proteins to form ATP are normally absent in urine or present in very low concentrations. When these reactions lack required enzymes, nutrient cofactors, or antioxidants, or are inhibited by toxic heavy metals, their intermediates accumulate and spill in the urine. Measuring these urinary metabolites thus indicate the need for nutrients, diet modification, antioxidant protection, and detoxification to restore cellular health and optimal energy production. Week 5: Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acid Markers Fat is necessary for cell membrane integrity, nerve health, hormone production, and more. Health issues associated with fatty acids have been largely traced to modern dietary habits of low intake for fish, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds and high intake for processed and manufactured dietary fats. While it may be easy to supplement fish oils and make dietary adjustments, individual variability in intake, digestion, absorption, and degradation can produce very significant differences in fatty acid status. Laboratory evaluation of fatty acid status is key to making decisions about dietary modification and/or supplementation with essential fatty acids (EFAs) and/or other nutrients involved in fatty acid metabolism. Week 6: Proteins, Amino Acids, and their Metabolism PROTEINS - The true building blocks of the body. 1. Principles of Correction of Amino Acid Imbalances - Factors Affecting Protein Nutrition Status and General Correction Guidelines 2. Essential Amino Acids- Detection and Correction of Essential Amino Acid Imbalances 3. Non-essential Amino Acids- Detection and Correction of Non-Essential Amino Acid Imbalances 4. Dietary Peptides- Detection and Correction of Markers of Dietary Peptides, Urea Cycle and Others Week 7: Micronutrients - Vitamins and Minerals Micronutrient deficiency remains a major health issue worldwide despite advancements in medicine. At the same time, the effect of marginal vitamin deficiency status on physiological processes is proven. Clinical metabolomics offers an unbiased strategy for measuring individual requirements for micronutrients. This lesson will show the various micronutrients and their relevance in metabolic pathways for nutrition. Week 8: Neurotransmitters Communication is key for optimal network coordination. 1. Detection and Correction of Neurotransmitter Metabolites- Neurotransmitter Metabolite Testing and Correction of Imbalances 2. Detection and Correction of Amino Acids and/or Their Derivatives Relevant to Neuroendocrine Function- Testing for Neuroendocrine-Relevant Amino Acids and Derivatives + correction of these Imbalances Week 9: Oxidative Stress and Anti-Oxidant Markers Reduction and oxidation are two sides of the same coin. Oxidative Stress Markers and Correction of their Imbalances Week 10: Final Exams The student is required to take this multiple-choice module examination after studying all of the lessons in the module. This examination is meant to check your understanding of what has been covered in the module and is an OPEN BOOK EXAM, i.e., you may review the slides or open the references to answer the questions. We do not want to induce non-hormetic rises in your cortisol level, so the module assessment is not timed either, although you have 2 weeks to complete it.
