Urinalysis and the SHAPE Program
The SHAPE Program is not one-size-fits-all. If 10 people start the program together, within a few weeks all of them will be at different places in their journey. In order to customize the program to meet each patient’s/client’s individual needs, we use urine testing, or urinalysis.
The urinalysis will show you critical information about how your patient/client is responding to the SHAPE Program, plus, it is inexpensive, non-invasive, simple to perform, offers same-day results and can even be used for remote patients/clients.
Our preferred brand of urinalysis testing strips are Diagnox Urinox-10 SG Reagent Strips because they are individually wrapped to protect them from light, air and moisture; and they measure 10 different metabolic markers. Below is a list of each metabolic marker, what it measures and what it may indicate.
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 |
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 |
In our SHAPE practitioner training materials, we teach you exactly what to look for in the urinalysis and what to do when you see abnormal results. This may include adjusting the patient’s/client’s food or water intake, adding supportive supplements like pH Concentrated Minerals or recommending a change in their exercise or other lifestyle habits.
How Often to Perform a Urinalysis
You will run a baseline urinalysis for each patient/client before they begin the SHAPE Program. We recommend weekly or bi-weekly follow-up urinalyses thereafter until your patient/client reaches Phase II of the SHAPE Program. You should never go more than 30 days between urinalyses in Phase I.
Urinalysis and Weight Loss
If weight loss is one of your patient’s/client’s goals with the SHAPE Program, the urinalysis is especially critical to their success. Here’s why:
Most diet programs fail because the brain (specifically the hypothalamus) receives a message that the body is starving. Yes, your patient/client may lose weight, but as soon as they reintroduce excess calories, their body will regain the weight they lost, and it will raise its metabolic set point to protect against further starvation.
The metabolic set point is the weight range in which the body is programmed to function at its best. The body and brain work together to set the amount of body fat they believe is necessary to sustain and maintain 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, the body’s set point can be reprogrammed through embracing sound dietary habits.
If your patient/client does not have weight to lose, but is doing the SHAPE Program to reduce inflammation, detox and cleanse, improve their immune system, etc., the urinalysis is still important. 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.
Urinalysis is the Key to Success
Urinalysis is key to the long-term success of your patients/clients, but it is also key to your success as a SHAPE practitioner. Your patients’/clients’ long-term success means they will continue coming to you for answers to their health problems as well as increase referrals.
The urinalysis also provides an added level of proof that the SHAPE Program works and credibility to your wellness business as a standard diagnostic measure. It’s non-invasive and inexpensive, which improves compliance, and its versatility makes it possible to utilize in any type of wellness business.
Lastly, urinalysis is so simple to perform and interpret, and we’ll teach you exactly how to do it so you can grow your wellness business and change lives!
