US BioTek

Food sensitivities are recognized to be correlated with many chronic health conditions, such as IBS, eczema, fatigue, and others - but with proper identification and elimination of offending foods, many experience relief from their symptoms. Food sensitivities are inflammatory responses of the immune system triggered by food allergens. Unlike food allergies, the symptoms of a food sensitivity often occur hours or even days after exposure, making it difficult to pinpoint the specific offending food(s). This delayed reaction is what causes the majority of the 12 million people estimated to suffer from food sensitivities unaware and blame things like aging for their chronic symptoms. Testing for food sensitivities streamlines the process of identifying triggering foods, providing clear evidence and guidance to begin the healing process and start improving symptoms. IgG is an antibody that can activate the pro-inflammatory complement system (complement cascade) associated with chronic inflammatory conditions. High levels of IgG (class II or higher) overload receptors and drive the inflammatory reaction while low levels of IgG (class 0/I) indicate tolerance. IgG4 is an antibody which in most people does not activate the complement system, but instead is a blocking antibody for IgE. The presence of IgG4 is protective, not inflammatory, as IgG4/IgE binding tends to decrease IgE hypersensitivity (true allergy). If IgG4 is high, testing for IgE reactivity is advised and it may be best to remove the food from the diet permanently. Independent increases in IgG4 only can be associated with certain autoimmune conditions such as eosinophilic esophagitis. IgA is an antibody that can activate the pro-inflammatory complement system. Unlike Secretory IgA (sIgA) in stool, which is two IgA molecules bound together and secreted into the gut, serum IgA levels are associated with allergies and asthma. A Serum IgA reaction to food triggers can indicate foods that are irritating the lining of the gut. Conditions and symptoms commonly associated with food sensitivity: Brain Fog, Bloating, Weight Gain, Mood Swings, Joint Pain/Inflammation, Constipation, Diarrhea, Bronchitis, Crohn’s disease, Eczema, Migraines, GI distress, Stomach pain, Acne, ADD/ADHD, Autism, Sinus issues, Depression.

Comprehensive Gut Health Analysis with the Gut IQ Profile The Gut IQ Profile is a revolutionary stool analysis that offers a complete overview of your gut health. By leveraging advanced PCR and metagenomic sequencing technologies, it provides detailed insights into the gut microbiome and biochemical markers essential for digestive health. What is Metagenomic Sequencing? Metagenomic sequencing, also known as shotgun sequencing, is a cutting-edge technique used to analyze the genetic material of entire microbial communities within a stool sample. This method sequences all genetic material in a random, unbiased manner, offering a more comprehensive understanding of your gut microbiome compared to traditional, targeted approaches. Key Features of Metagenomic Sequencing: Broad Microbial Coverage Identifies over 28,000 microbial species, including unculturable and previously unknown microorganisms. Unbiased Approach Random sequencing ensures an extensive and detailed overview of microbial diversity. Comprehensive Results Delivers insights into the complete microbial community, rather than focusing on a predefined subset. Insights from the Gut IQ Profile Using a simple stool sample, the Gut IQ Profile provides detailed information on: Microbiome Composition Understand the balance of beneficial and harmful microbes in your gut. Biochemical Markers Analyze digestion, inflammation, and intestinal permeability for a deeper understanding of gut function. Why Choose the Gut IQ Profile? With its combination of PCR and metagenomic sequencing technologies, the Gut IQ Profile goes beyond traditional stool tests, delivering actionable insights for improved gut health and overall well-being. Whether you're addressing digestive issues, managing inflammation, or optimizing your gut health, this comprehensive analysis offers the clarity you need to make informed decisions.

The NutriStat Basic Profile by US BioTek Laboratories is a comprehensive nutritional assessment tool designed to provide valuable insights into an individual's nutritional status and potential deficiencies. This panel includes an array of tests that measure various biomarkers related to nutrient levels, metabolic function, and overall health. Typically, the NutriStat Basic Profile assesses levels of essential vitamins such as B12, D, and folate, along with key minerals like magnesium, zinc, and selenium. Additionally, it evaluates amino acids, fatty acids, and other critical compounds necessary for optimal body function. By analyzing these biomarkers, healthcare practitioners can identify specific nutrient deficiencies or imbalances that may be contributing to health issues such as fatigue, weakened immune function, or chronic diseases. The results from this panel enable personalized nutritional interventions, allowing for tailored dietary recommendations and supplement regimens to address specific needs. Moreover, the NutriStat Basic Profile can be instrumental in monitoring the effectiveness of ongoing nutritional therapies, providing a dynamic view of a patient's nutritional health over time. This tool is particularly valuable for individuals with dietary restrictions, those recovering from illness, or anyone seeking to optimize their overall wellness through targeted nutrition. US BioTek Laboratories, known for its commitment to high-quality, reliable testing methods, ensures that the NutriStat Basic Profile delivers precise and actionable data, empowering both healthcare providers and patients to make informed decisions for better health outcomes.

The Organic Acids Profile (OAP) offered by US BioTek Laboratories provides an excellent overview of mitochondrial and primary biochemical functions. The analytes on the OAP can detect problems with the body’s processing of dietary macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) or problems with the Citric Acid Cycle (CAC), one of the primary pathways in the mitochondria. The OAP also provides an overview of bacterial metabolism in the gastrointestinal microbiome, which can have profound effects on the health, and on biochemical and detoxification functions of the human host. Recent scientific advances illuminate the importance of inheritance (genetic and epigenetic), environment and nutrition for human health and wellness. Pollution, malnutrition, or other physical or psychological stress can dysregulate or inhibit primary biochemical pathways, mitochondria, the gut microbiome, and detoxification functions. If an individual has inherited low-activity enzyme variants, such stressors may be enough to shift them from health to disease. Chronic inflammatory diseases such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, immune system dysregulation, premature ageing, etc. have been associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and/or the dysregulation of primary biochemical pathways. The OAP is a reliable tool for screening and monitoring individuals with inherited or acquired biochemical or mitochondrial dysregulations. US BioTek’s Organic Acids Profile is designed to screen the general population for metabolic problems associated with aging, chronic inflammation, environment-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, and low-activity enzyme variants requiring additional nutritional support. The test is not designed to diagnose inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs); the majority of IEMs result in significant functional and intellectual challenges and are diagnosed in infancy. Please note that, as with all urine tests, adequate kidney function is required for accurate results. References: - Cani PD. Interactions between gut microbes and host cells control gut barrier and metabolism. Int J Obes Suppl. 2016;6(Suppl 1):S28-S31. - Dela Cruz CS, Kang MJ. Mitochondrial dysfunction and damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in chronic inflammatory diseases. Mitochondrion. 2018;41:37-44. - Hollman AL, Tchounwou PB, Huang HC. The Association between Gene-Environment Interactions and Diseases Involving the Human GST Superfamily with SNP Variants. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2016;13(4):379. - Jain A, Li XH, Chen WN. An untargeted fecal and urine metabolomics analysis of the interplay between the gut microbiome, diet and human metabolism in Indian and Chinese adults. Sci Rep. 2019;9:9191. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-45640-y - Johannsen DL, Ravussin E. The role of mitochondria in health and disease. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2009;9(6):780-786. - Picard M, McEwen BS. Psychological Stress and Mitochondria: A Systematic Review. Psychosom Med. 2018;80(2):141-153. - Tsoukalas D, Alegakis A, Fragkiadaki P, et al. Application of metabolomics: Focus on the quantification of organic acids in healthy adults. Int J Mol Med. 2017;40(1):112-120.

The GI – Advanced Profile is the most comprehensive stool test by US BioTek, building upon the Basic and Standard GI Microbiome profiles to offer 98 markers from 15 different testing categories. The profile combines different testing methodologies to offer highly sensitive results with industry-leading accuracy and reproducibility: PCR US BioTek uses real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests to qualitatively detect nucleic acid from various parasites, bacteria, and viruses. The RT-PCR platform is FDA-authorized and requires specialized equipment and personnel to identify DNA within cells. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a relatively simple and widely used molecular biology technique to amplify and detect DNA and RNA sequences. The use of PCR testing allows US BioTek to more precisely identify even the smallest amounts of markers within the stool providing accurate, reliable, and reproducible results. ELISA An established immunological technique, ELISA is widely used to detect the presence of specific antibodies or antigens in a patient’s blood. It is a basic testing platform in a fully-automated protocol utilizing advanced robotics and barcoding to identify each specimen throughout the testing procedure. Antigen-specific antibodies, bound to the antigen, are detected through spectrophotometric analysis. Macroscopy Stool macroscopy is a method of visually examining stool samples to detect abnormalities such as blood, mucus, parasites, and other foreign materials. The stool is first inspected for color, consistency, and any unusual features. Culture Stool culture is a laboratory test that identifies bacteria in stool specimens. A small amount of stool is placed on a growth medium and incubated at a warm temperature. If bacteria are present, they will grow and form colonies. The colonies can then be identified by their appearance and by biochemical tests.