Nutrition

Oxidative stress

Oxygen is vital because it allows the production of energy from organic matter. Paradoxically, oxygen can also be harmful: physiological processes such as cellular respiration or protective mechanisms of the body constantly produce highly reactive oxygen compounds, including free radicals, all highly toxic.

Oxidative stress is defined as a disturbance in the balance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to neutralize them leading to an accumulation of free radicals. Oxidative stress over a long period may promote the development of diseases: cardiovascular diseases, chronic infectious diseases, inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases and even cancer. Besides, oxidative stress plays also an important role in aging.

The factors or conditions below may contribute to oxidative stress:

• Heavy physical efforts
• Unbalanced diet
• Consumption of tobacco and alcohol
• Chronic fatigue
• Physical or mental stress
• Chronic and inflammatory diseases
• Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, oral contraception
• Pollution, UV radiation
• Infections

There is a conclusive link between high levels of oxidative stress and a patient’s health.
However, in more than 80% of cases, it is possible to reduce oxidative stress and thus to improve health status, regardless of clinical context or patient’s age.

Targeted laboratory diagnoses are therefore essential for an early diagnosis and treatment of oxidative stress.

Laboratoires Réunis offers, in addition to a wide range of individual analyses, the following laboratory diagnostic profiles for the detection of oxidative stress:

• Oxidative stress-base profile: antioxidative capacity, oxidized LDL and 8-OHdG
• Profile of complete oxidative stress: antioxidant capacity, 8-OHdG, oxidized LDL, SOD, GPX, Se, Zn, Vit A & E, ubiquinone, citrulline, nitrotyrosine,
• Nitrosative stress profile: ubiquinone, nitrotyrosine, nitrophenylacetic acid, citrulline

Short-chain fatty acids are formed in the intestine during the metabolism of fibers and complex carbohydrates by bacteria. The fatty acids acetate, propionate and butyrate are particularly important: they are the main source of energy for the intestinal epithelium, stimulate the formation of mucus, have anti-inflammatory effects (mainly butyrate) and counteract weigh increase (mainly propionate).

A balanced ratio of short-chain fatty acids is thus essential for intestinal health. With the help of the profile for short-chain fatty acids, targeted nutritional measures as well as combinations with special probiotics can be taken.

FlorInScan

Laboratoires Réunis has many years of experience in the field of intestinal health and stool analysis. For nearly 17 years, we have been offering the FlorInScan extensive stool analysis. The individual profiles are continuously developed and adapted according to the latest scientific findings.

The following FlorInScan and other profiles are available at Laboratoires Réunis for targeted diagnostics and prevention:

FlorInScan includes the classical, quantitative, culture-based determination of fecal microflora (aerobic and anaerobic flora, fungi and yeasts), as well as the analysis of digestive performance by determining food residues,  the pH value and pancreatic elastase. An examination for occult blood in stool is also included. FlorInScan is an important component of preventive and personalized medicine for unclear gastrointestinal complaints or diseases of allergic or immunological origin.

FlorInScan Plus is an advanced screening: in addition to the determination of fecal microflora status, digestive performance and blood in stool, immunological and inflammatory markers (secretory IgA, calprotectin and alpha-1-antitrypsin) are included. These markers allow conclusions on invasive mucosal changes and permeability disorders, e.g. in the context of allergies and chronic inflammatory processes or tumors.

FlorInScan microbiome profile is our newly developed extensive profile based on molecular microbiome analysis. It includes the determination and quantification of health-related, anaerobic bacteria, which can only be detected by molecular genetic methods.

The FlorInScan microbiome profile ideally complements the classic, cultural-based FlorInScan analysis. The analysis of these relevant bacterial groups can additionally be included in the medical interpretation and prevention of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer and diabetes as well as in further therapy.

Laboratoires Réunis offers various  targeted examination methods for the detection of histamine intolerance:

• Determination of DAO activity in serum
• Determination of histamine concentration in stool

For the detection of intestinal fructose intolerance, Laboratoires Réunis offers the following analysis: Bacterial cleavage activity of fructose (as well as sorbitol) in stool.

For the detection of hereditary fructose intolerance, Laboratoires Réunis tests the most common mutations in the aldolase B gene with detailed interpretation of the results. Please ask for our genetic profile of hereditary fructose intolerance.

For further information please contact: sales@labo.lu oder +352 780 290-1

The ImuPro Concept - Diagnostics and unique post-test guidance

With an IgG food allergy (also called type III food allergy), the immune system reacts to usually harmless food allergens and produces specific antibodies, called IgG antibodies. These antibodies can then cause inflammatory reactions which may lead to various chronic complaints; the symptoms appear delayed up to three days after the consumption of a trigger food.

How does an IgG food allergy develop? Due to medicines, infections, mycosis, stress and environmental poisons, the integrity of the intestinal wall can be damaged and food components can slip between the intestinal cells. In some cases this triggers an immune response and the immune system starts to produce specific IgG antibodies against them.

ImuPro is a concept that combines a sophisticated and reliable blood analysis for IgG food allergies with unique post-test guidance. In an extensive laboratory analysis, high levels of IgG antibodies specific to particular food proteins are identified. The lab provides the doctor and patient with the test results and personal nutritional guidelines.

ImuPro is recommended in case of:

Bloating, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), headache, migraine, obesity, depression, skin and joint problems.

ImuPro options:

· ImuPro Screen provides an individual analysis of 22 foods. It is a simple way to find out quickly whether an IgG food allergy might exist. It is a purely diagnostic examination and does not include any dietary recommendations.

· ImuPro Basic tests the 90 most important foods, such as typical kinds of meat, vegetables, fruits, cereals, dairy products and chicken egg. As well as a comprehensive report with accurate results at a glance, the documents will contain personal nutritional guidelines including individual recommendations.

· ImuPro Basic+ analyzes 180 foods. In addition to the typical most common vegetables, meat, fruits, cereals, dairy products and eggs, their alternatives and region-specific foods are also tested. The patients receives a comprehensive report with accurate results at the glance, nutritional guidelines including individual recommendations and a recipe book.

· ImuPro Complete tests 270 foods and additives (incl. the 90 foods in ImuPro Basic). In addition to the typical kinds of meat, vegetables, fruits, cereals, milk and egg, their alternatives and region-specific foods are also tested. Furthermore, a huge number of spices, tea, coffee, wine and also thickening agents and preservatives are examined. You will receive a comprehensive report with accurate results at a glance and personal nutritional guidelines which lead you through your change in diet. Your results pack also includes individual recommendations and a recipe book which is specifically tailored to your personal needs.

Vitamins are crucial parts of biochemical conversions in the body, such as co-factors in enzyme reactions and play an important role against oxidative stress. Deficiency or excess of vitamins can lead to a decreased function of several (organ) systems and the human body as a whole. Therefore, vitamin testing gives insight into absolute and relative deficiencies, and provides information about the impact of dietary changes and supplementations.

Laboratoires Réunis offers the following tests related to vitamins:

• Vitamin B3
• folic acid (vitamin B9)
• Vitamin B12
• Holotranscobalamin (active vitamin B12)
• Biotin (vitamin H)

Minerals are dissolved substances that are present within and outside the body cell. They are essential for several metabolic processes like enzyme activation, regulation of water balance and pH. Increased or decreased levels can impair metabolic processes and additionally give information about possible diseases.

Laboratoires Réunis offers complete analysis of minerals including sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, selenium. Single analysis on demand.