Urinalysis is Critical to Your Success
Your unique bio-individuality means that what works for one person may not work for the next. This is one of the reasons why most diets fail and why the SHAPE Program works so well for so many.
Your set point is the weight range in which your particular body is programmed to function at its best. Your body and brain work together to set the amount of body fat they believe is necessary to sustain and maintain your overall health through energy usage, metabolism and hunger. Based on the metabolic set point theory of homeostasis, the body tends to maintain a particular weight range. However, your body’s set point can be reprogrammed through embracing sound dietary habits.
If you do not have weight to lose, but are doing the SHAPE Program to reduce inflammation, detox and cleanse and improve your immune system, the urinalysis is still beneficial. Starvation signals don’t just affect weight. Starvation can affect the brain and body in a variety of ways, causing a potential cascade of negative symptoms.
Through urinalysis, your SHAPE practitioner can see how your body is responding to the SHAPE Program and can customize your dietary requirements to meet your specific metabolic needs. For example, you may be asked to eat more protein and/or fruit, to increase your water intake or to add supplements to your daily regimen.
Dr Todd & Linda share why they recommend using Diagnox test strips
What Does Urinalysis Show?
SHAPE practitioners use urinalysis strips to measure 10 different metabolic markers. The following is a list of those markers and what they indicate in your body.
Metabolic Marker | What it measures | What it may indicate |
---|---|---|
Leukocytes | White blood cell activity | Infection |
Nitrites | A nitrogen-based compound that forms in the presence of bacteria | Urinary tract infection |
Urobilinogen | A compound formed in the intestines by the degradation of bilirubin | Gallbladder weakness |
Protein | A combination of amino acids from food or body tissue | Digestive weakness, dehydration, pH imbalance, over-exertion, lack of enzyme activity, HCl deficiency, diabetic tendencies |
pH | Acid and alkaline levels | Acidity and alkalinity |
Blood | A body fluid that transports nutrients, oxygen and waste | Vaginal dryness, prostate weakness, kidney infection/stones |
Specific Gravity | A measure of how ‘thick’ the urine is compared to water | High: dehydration, blood sugar and adrenal imbalances Low: hypothermia, cellular dehydration, diuretic usage, excess water intake |
Ketones | An indication that the body is burning fat instead of sugar | Trace to moderate are acceptable; large indicates starvation (Note: A state of ketosis is not a requirement to experience weight loss on the SHAPE Program.) |
Bilirubin | A compound that circulates in the blood attached to protein | Liver or gallbladder weakness |
Glucose | Blood sugar | Diabetic tendencies |
How Often Should I Have a Urinalysis?
Regular urinalysis is required for Phase I: FasTrac Cleanse (we recommend them for the Basic Cleanse, but it is not required). You will have a baseline urinalysis before starting the program. The frequency with which you should be monitored will be determined by your SHAPE practitioner, who will consider:
Your overall health history — If you have a chronic illness like diabetes, you will need to be monitored more often.
Your use of prescription medication — As your health improves, your medication needs may change, and you can talk with your prescribing physician about decreasing or eliminating some medications.