Testing biomarkers can help practitioners determine and create a more efficient personalized plan. The LRA test by ELISA/ACT was created to test 4 separate types of immune trigger markers. These include Actue Antibodies (IgE), Humoral Antibodies (IgA, IgM, IgG), Immune Complexes, and T-Cell Regulation. These factors are all extremely important when it comes to reversing symptoms related to thyroid issues, joint pain, lupus, diabetes, IBS, and more. Accurate testing leads to accurate results!
The immune system is one of the hardest working systems in the body. It is constantly working in the background, searching the body for bacterias and any potentially harmful pathogens. The first attacker in the line of defense is secretory IGA (SIgA). SIgA is the predominant immunoglobulin that is produced in the lining of the gut. Some functions of SIgA include trapping mucus, neutralizing enzymes and other toxins, inhibiting the adherence of pathogens, having interaction with antimicrobial factors like lactoferrin, all while being tolerant of the friendly flora. Any type of infection will lower SIgA. It is important to note that other factors that reduce SIgA include stress, a poor diet containing low levels of nutrients, genetics, the integrity of your gut lining, and age.Â
Autoimmune diseases are a much larger problem than they were 10 years ago. Now, autoimmune diseases are reaching an epidemically high level with over 50 million people diagnosed. All autoimmune diseases are linked to one common condition, inflammation. An autoimmune disease is when the immune system is under constant inflammation from frequently recurring triggers. Those diagnosed with an autoimmune disease have one or more of these stressors overly present in their life:
-Chronic Emotional and Cognitive Stress
-Unhealthy Coping PatternsÂ
-Poor NutritionÂ
-Gastrointestinal Stress
-Adrenal Stress
-Hormonal StressÂ
-Inflammatory and Infectious Stress
-Toxic Stress
The majority of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer continue to use dietary supplements throughout their treatments and for the continuum of their care. Working with your doctor and adding in natural supplements could help decrease your chance of recurrence. Some studied natural supplements include multivitamins, green tea, melatonin, and curcumin. Additionally, adding in 2.5 hours of exercise a week helps improve your chance of fighting off cancers. That’s only 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week!
SIBO or Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth is an issue in many individuals. With SIBO, many patients experience IBS as well. Over â…” of SIBO cases are chronic and long-term treatment is needed. For the most symptom relief, patients find a diet to be an essential factor. These four diets are great options for a place to start:
Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)
Low FODMAP Diet (LFD)
Cedars-Sinai Low Fermentation Diet (C-SLFD)
SIBO Specific Food Guide (SSFG)
Biomarkers are one of the essential ways practitioners are able to assess the flora residing in the gastrointestinal tract. Genova breaks down lab results into a D.I.G. method, representing Digestion and Absorption, Inflammation and Immunology, and Gastrointestinal Microbiome. These are all key factors in determining, diagnosing, and treating leaky gut, intestinal permeability, and other health conditions. These are important when determining overall health status. This is a great way to get started on repairing your gut for optimal health!
The prevalence and severity of Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is evergrowing. SIBO has been linked to intestinal permeability along with being a contributing factor to many other health conditions. Those who experience SIBO report symptoms such as bloating, nausea, headaches, joint pain, fatigue and overall discomfort.Â
All treatments vary and depend on the individual compared with their specific lab results. However, the three main goals when creating a SIBO treatment protocol are generally the same.Â
Reduce the bacteriaÂ
Biotransform and support brush border healingÂ
Prevent relapseÂ
SIBO is the overgrowth of commensal organisms in the small intestine. SIBO stands for Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth. The overgrowth of bacteria leads to intestinal permeability, opening up an entirely new list of complications propagated by systemic inflammation. Some diseases associated with SIBO are acne, diabetes, celiac, and more! If you experience uncomfortable gas, bloating, abnormal bowel movements, headaches, or skin rashes SIBO could be related! Get tested to find out if SIBO is affecting you.
Can bacteria be impacting your mental health? Throughout the past 10 years, the evidence is coming to light showing that there is a link and relation to certain bacterias and aspects of mental health. Research has shown that increased levels of clostridia are linked to disorders such as autism, depression, and more. It is important to keep an eye on your digestive tract and gastrointestinal health, as uncomfortable symptoms may be an indicator that something needs to be evaluated by a health care professional.
What is the intestinal barrier and why is it important?
The intestinal barrier is our first line of defense when fighting off unwanted pathogens. The intestinal barrier needs to be functioning properly to ensure optimal GI health and immunity. Testing the intestinal barrier will allow us to see the extent of gut dysbiosis as well as food sensitivities. From here, we can begin to remove the irritants, create a personalized plan, and restore optimal gut health and function!
Organic Acid Testing!
Lab testing is essential before treating symptoms. Organic acid testing tests the chemical compounds that are excreted in the urine. Organic acids can represent anemia, lethargy, hyperactivity, dermatitis and more. Often times, once lab work reveals what organic acids are present, an all-natural holistic approach is created to treat organic acids and repair damage.
What is “Leaky Gut”?
Hyper permeability, more commonly known as leaky gut syndrome is a common problem where there is inflammation in the pore-lining of the gut. The inflammation causes the tight junctions to open more than usual allowing toxins to leak in and out of the GI tract. This aggravates other body systems and in turn, results in systemic body inflammation. Health conditions that have been associated with leaky gut include but are not limited to:Â
-Rheumatoid ArthritisÂ
-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
-Brain FogÂ
-Food Allergies/ IntolerancesÂ
-Inflammatory Bowel Disease
-Irritable Bowel Disease
-Joint ProblemsÂ
-EczemaÂ
-And more
Pathogens: What are they?
Pathogens are bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that can cause disease. The most common pathogens we see today are bacterial pathogens, parasitic pathogens, and fungal pathogens.
The first step to overcoming pathogens is to have lab testing performed. Lab testing will provide your practitioner with the necessary information to determine what pathogen is overgrowing in your gut. From here, the plan can be created to properly assess the pathogen and repair a healthy gut.
PODCAST: Dr. Alex Jimenez, chiropractor in El Paso, TX, and Victoria Hahn discuss the fasting-mimicking diet and the ProLon Fasting Mimicking Diet program developed by…
Let’s talk about stool testing! Although many individuals would prefer to do a serum test (blood draw), stool testing provides so much more information. Stool testing gives us the ability to see what bacteria in your gut are overgrown or depressed! With this information, we can create a personal treatment plan to ensure your microbiome is being fueled with the direct strands it needs to healthily replenish itself.
Two Brains? Studies now show the gut (ENS) and the brain (CNS) can function separately from each other! This gives us an all-new insight into the gut. The gut is extremely important and acts as our inner defense system and contains more than 100 million nerve cells. That’s more than our spinal cord! This new research is shining more light on how important our gut health really is and how it is connected to other health conditions, such as autoimmune. Start taking control of your gut health now!
We are seeing a significant amount of research pointing to dietary factors and autoimmune triggers. These studies show that the foods we eat are responsible for creating inflammation and an immune response throughout our system. To help reduce the amount of inflammation and dietary triggers you experience:
-Perform an elimination diet
-Eat local homegrown crops
-Eat organic
-Avoid artificial sweeteners, sugar, GMO, dairy, and gluten
Food is the ultimate medicine!