The biological terrain assessment or BTA is a set of tests used to measure the
pH,
resistivity, and
redox of a person's
urine,
blood, and
saliva
Saliva (commonly referred to as spit) is an extracellular fluid produced and secreted by salivary glands in the mouth. In humans, saliva is around 99% water, plus electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells (from which DNA can be ...
.
The measurements were first used by L.C. Vincent, a
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
hydrologist, in the early 1900s.
It is often associated with
homeopathy
Homeopathy or homoeopathy is a pseudoscientific system of alternative medicine. It was conceived in 1796 by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Its practitioners, called homeopaths, believe that a substance that causes symptoms of a dis ...
and
holistic health. The usefulness of the test is debatable and according to physician
Stephen Barrett BTA is outdated, apart from pH measurement, and is an inferior assessment technique that should not be favored over more modern techniques.
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Usefulness
Proponents of the BTA claim that comparing the pH, resistivity, and
redox of the blood, urine, and saliva provides a health practitioner an indication of the metabolic processes taking place inside the body.
There is no scientific evidence that these measurements provide a medically relevant indication of metabolic processes. Multiple manufacturers of BTA equipment have been prevented from selling their equipment in the United States because they lack
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. However, the FDA has not stated whether the BTA is medically useful or not.
The Quantitative Fluid Analyzer (QFA) manufactured by Health Science Company does have FDA classification as a "laboratory instrument for medical purposes" "ion selective", Class 1 510(K) exempt. However it does not have CLIA (Clinical Laboratory improvement Amendment, 1988) waiver.
References
Blood tests
Urine tests
Pseudoscience
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