Dr Nossel’s approach to assisting his patients has three parts

Increasing Wellness

This includes guidance on what should be included and excluded from one’s diet, and what nutritional supplements may be required.

Investigations

In order to confirm the presence of a metabolic issue Dr Nossel may advise the use of special investigations. Since the role of testing is confirmatory, not diagnostic, it is usually not required. In cases where testing is recommended, Dr Nossel makes use of 4 tests: urine testing, blood testing, hair testing (for metal toxicity) and DNA testing (taken from a finger prick).

Interventions

Depending on the clinical findings and investigation results there are a number of therapeutic modalities that Dr Nossel uses in order to heal and restore wellness. These modalities include the use of botanicals, supplements and if deemed necessary, medication.

These are 5 main investigations that Dr Nossel uses to detect possible metabolic imbalances:

Urine Test
This is the most informative test. It measures over 70 Organic Acids and provides valuable information regarding gut infection, inflammation, mitochondrial function, nutritional deficiencies, toxins, mold, detoxification and methylation. A urine sample is either sent to the highly regarded Great Plains Laboratory in the USA or is done locally through Lancet Laboratories for analysis.

DNA Test
This provides valuable information about the genetically determined efficiency of the enzymes controlling inflammation, detoxification, oxidative stress and methylation. A cheek swab is sent to the DNAlysis Laboratory based in Johannesburg.

Hair Test
This is the most convenient way to assess the levels of heavy metals in the body. A half a matchbox of hair is sent to Germany for analysis.

Blood Tests
These are useful to screen for various blood and organ abnormalities. These tests measure blood cells, blood electrolytes, various hormones, enzymes, and various antibodies to possible past infections.

Stool Test
This is an innovative, comprehensive and sensitive test using biochemical assays and microscopy to detect and assess the status of pathogens, viruses, parasites and bacteria that may be contributing to acute or chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and disease. A stool sample is sent to the well respected Doctors Data Laboratory in the USA for analysis.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder &
Autism Spectrum Disorder

We are living in an era when medicine has made enormous strides in preventing and curing so many of the childhood illnesses that challenged previous generations.

There are however certain conditions that instead of becoming less and less prevalent are becoming more and more so, and increasingly difficult to combat.

Included in these conditions are ADHD – Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The incidence of these challenges of childhood development are continuing to soar and their effects are increasingly concerning.

ADHD is characterized by a child’s inability to remain focused or attentive. The child may also have excess energy. Whereas all children can struggle with these issues to some degree, when a child is unable to function  adequately because of them, therapeutic measures need to be taken.

ASD is defined as the presence of at least two of the following three problems in a child’s normal development:

  1. Language delay/deficit
  2. Lack of social engagement
  3. Repetitive nonfunctional behaviors.

These two conditions are certainly very different from each other, and they are generally treated with different modalities.

ADHD is usually treated with medications that enhance the child’s ability to focus and reduce the hyperactive behaviour. The treatment of ASD on the other hand is generally directed towards speech and behavioral therapies, and sedation should it be necessary.

Yet there are some features that are common to both disorders. Both of them are often associated with anxiety, sleep disturbance, allergies and digestion issues.

Over the last few years an approach has developed that is not focused on treating the symptoms of these disorders. Instead it seeks to address any underlying metabolic issues that may be causing or contributing to the symptoms.

A number of metabolic issues have been identified that have been shown to play a significant role in both ADHD and ASD. These include problems with inflammation, infections, nutrition, detoxification, methylation and a number of other processes.

The tremendous advantage that this approach offers is that the underlying mechanisms of the disorders are being addressed and they are able to be healed. Dr Nossel has been trained in this approach.