Organic Acids Test – OATS Test
What is an OATS – Organic Acid Test?
The oats test is useful to assess gut health and will analyze 21 organic acids present in a single urine sample. It was developed by Dr William Shaw and is useful for for patients with complex health issues.
What does the OAT test measure?
The easy to complete urine test is used to detect yeast and bacterial overgrowth, and will also analyse biomarkers for Clostridia and mould.
In addition there are markers for oxalate formation and mitochondrial function and nutritional status, this is useful for assessment of metabolic processes and energy.
The OAT also tests neurotransmitter status, this may be useful for an understanding of brain function and mood regulation.
What are Organic Acids?
Organic acids are metabolic byproducts excreted in urine that can help evaluated imbalances in the gastrointestinal tract including yeast and fungal metabolites bacteria, Clostridia species and general markers of dysbiosis that may be impacting your overall health.
What conditions is the test used for?
- Autism
- Depression
- Candida/Yeast/ Bacterial overgrowth- referred to as gut dysbiosis
- ADHD
- Depression
- Cognitive decline
- Fatigue/Chronic Fatigue
There is also a section on detoxification that will give you an indication of how well your body can handle toxic substances.
Why are Organic Acids analysed in urine?
Organic acids are tested in urine because they offer a window into the metabolic processes occurring within the body. When metabolic reactions take place, organic acids are produced as byproducts. These acids are then excreted through urine, providing a non-invasive and convenient means of assessing metabolic function.
What is being measured in the test?
- Citramalic
- 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furoic
- 3-Oxoglutaric
- Furan-2,5-dicarboxylic
- Furancarbonylglycine
- Tartaric
- Arabinose
- Carboxycitric
- Tricarballylic
- 2-Hydroxyphenylacetic
- 4-Hydroxyphenylacetic
- 4-Hydroxybenzoic
- 4-Hydroxyhippuric
- Hippuric
- 3-Indoleacetic
- Succinic
- HPHPA (Clostridia marker)
- 4-Cresol (C. difficile)
- DHPPA (beneficial bacteria)
- Glyceric
- Glycolic
- Oxalic
- Lactic
- Pyruvic
- 2-Hydroxybutyric
- Fumaric
- Malic
- 2-Oxoglutaric
- Aconitic
- Citric
- Homovanillic Acid (HVA)
- Vanillmandelic Acid (VMA)
- HVA/VMA Ratio
- 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic (5-HIAA)
- Quinolinic
- Kynurenic
- HVA/DOPAC Ratio
- Dihydroxyphenylacetic (DOPAC)
- Uracil
- Thymine
- 3-Hydroxybutyric
- Acetoacetic
- 4-Hydroxybutyric
- Ethylmalonic
- Methylsuccinic
- Adipic
- Suberic
- Sebacic
- Methylmalonic (Vitamin B12)
- Pyridoxic (Vitamin B6)
- Pantothenic (Vitamin B5)
- Glutaric (Vitamin B2-Riboflavin)
- Ascorbic (Vitamin C)
- 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaric
- (Vitamin Q10-CoQ10)
- N-Acetylcysteine (Glutathione precursor and chelating agent)
- Methylcitric (Vitamin H-Biotin)
- Pyroglutamic
- Orotic
- 2-Hydroxyhippuric
- 2-Hydroxyisovaleric
- 2-Oxoisovaleric
- 3-Methyl-2-oxovaleric
- 2-Hydroxyisocaproic
- 2-Oxoisocaproic
- 2-Oxo-4-methiolbutyric
- Mandelic
- Phenyllactic
- Phenylpyruvic
- Homogentisic
- 4-Hydroxyphenyllactic
- N-Acetylaspartic
- Malonic
- 3-Methylglutaric
- 3-Hydroxyglutaric
- 3-Methylglutaconic
- Phosphoric
FAQ
How is the OATS Test carried out?
The test can be easily be conducted at home. Collect your first urine specimen in the morning Please avoid eating Apples, apple juice and products, Grapes, grape juice and products (including raisins) Pears, pear juice and Cranberries, cranberry juice 48 hours prior to doing the test.
What does the OAT test measure?
The test h measures 76 organic acids.
Who should conduct the OAT test?
- Patients who wish to learn about candida clostridia potential mold exposure, and imbalance in the gut microflora.
- Patients who are converned they may have high oxalate levels
- Patients wanting to evaluate Metabolic efficiency
- Patients who need to evaluate Neurotransmitter Metabolites i
- Pyrimidine Metabolites & Ketone and Fatty Acid Oxidation markers give insight into folate status and cellular turnover, as well as mitochondrial utilization of fatty acids for energy production.
- Nutritional Markers provide insight into the sufficiency of essential vitamins, antioxidants, and metabolic pathway co-factors.
- Indicators of Detoxification assess for the presence of oxidative stress via markers of glutathione sufficiency and methylation versus transsulfuration function.
- Amino Acid Metabolites may suggest functional nutrient need or be reflective of genetic metabolic dysfunction if a consistently, persistently elevated level of a particular analyte is noted.
- The Mineral Metabolism marker provides insight into dietary intake of phosphate and can give insights into Vitamin D levels.
What is an Oxalate?
An Oxalate is an organic acid. Oxalates are found in your the diet, as well as via fungus (such as Aspergillus and Penicillium), and human metabolism. There are two genetic diseases known as hyperoxalurias type I and type II whereby oxalates have been found to be elevated.
What foods are high in Oxalates?
The foods that are high in Oxalates include spinach, beets, chocolate, peanuts, wheat bran, tea, cashews, pecans, almonds, and berries.